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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 03:49 PM
Original message
Is there a list of Clinton's record against terrorism anywhere?
I'm manning a booth for our local party soon and want to have fliers with a list of points and their sources showing the things that Clinton did to try to stop terrorism while he was president. Recently I read a quote where he said terrorism was going to the be # problem for the next generation, I'd love to have things like that. Where can I find lists of his congressional record against terrorism, I'm looking for sources like msnbc, newsweek, even cnn. I have the U.S News page from CNN 'President wants Senate to hurry with new anti-terrorism laws', for some reason all my searches lead back to that link, hmmm :shrug: ;-) . If this list is already out there that would be such a huge plus, I'm so pressed for time.

I live in a Republican-laden county and am looking for sources that will be friendly toward those southern Republican women who are starting to wake up to the idea that all the stuff they were fed by the GOP before the last election was a pack of lies.

Thanks everyone!!
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Monkeyman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 03:53 PM
Response to Original message
1. You have to scroll down but myy better half has it on her blog
http://janets-conner.blogspot.com

it list every bill Clinton put out but Replugs vote nay in their controlled Congress hope its what your looking for
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Monkeyman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:00 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Its the 23-or24 story down
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:03 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. That's mostly theJuly 30 article from CNN Interactive
Thanks for info though, she's got an awesome list of the latest pol. news on her blog, I'm impressed.
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havocmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:05 PM
Response to Original message
4. Screen shots of this CNN page would look nice on flyers and posters
be sure and highlight date;)
http://www.cnn.com/US/9607/30/clinton.terrorism/

President wants Senate to hurry with new anti-terrorism laws
July 30, 1996
Web posted at: 8:40 p.m. EDT

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton urged Congress Tuesday to act swiftly in developing anti-terrorism legislation before its August recess. (1.6 MB AIFF or WAV sound)sound icon

"We need to keep this country together right now. We need to focus on this terrorism issue," Clinton said during a White House news conference.

But while the president pushed for quick legislation, Republican lawmakers hardened their stance against some of the proposed anti-terrorism measures.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, doubted that the Senate would rush to action before they recess this weekend. The Senate needs to study all the options, he said, and trying to get it done in the next three days would be tough.


Go to the link, folks, cuz the next paragraph is the real kicker!

It's a keeper. Keep handy for this coming week. Great find by an evilDUer helderheid and posted in this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2088495
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:10 PM
Response to Reply #4
7. I, alone, have given that link a hit at least 30 times today, just
doing my part, ma'am.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:05 PM
Response to Original message
5. HERE IS SOME STUFF ABOUT WHAT CLINTON DID ABOUT TERRORISM
Edited on Sat Sep-09-06 04:26 PM by flyarm
Clinton:Establishment of the Commission on Aviation Safety and Security

http://www.securitymanagement.com/librar...

White House Commission on
Aviation Safety and Security
Final Report to President Clinton
Vice President Al Gore, Chairman
February 12, 1997

snip:

Establishment of the Commission on Aviation Safety and Security

President Clinton created the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security to address that question, and assigned it three specific mandates: to look at the changing security threat, and how we can address it; to examine changes in the aviation industry, and how government should adapt its regulation of it; to look at the technological changes coming to air traffic control, and what should be done to take best advantage of them. In the wake of concerns over the crash of Trans World Airlines Flight 800, President Clinton asked the Commission to focus its attention first on the issue of security. He asked for an initial report on aviation security in 45 days, including an action plan to deploy new hightechnology machines to detect the most sophisticated explosives.

On September 9, 1996, the Commission presented that initial report to the President. It contained twenty recommendations for enhancing aviation security which are presented again in Chapter 3 of this report. The response to the initial report was unprecedented. In October 1996, at the request of President Clinton, the Congress appropriated over $400 million, in direct accord with the Commission's recommendations, for the acquisition of new explosives detection technology and other security enhancements. In the five months since they were presented, implementation has begun on virtually all of the initial recommendations.

From its inception, the Commission took a hands-on approach to its work. President Clinton announced the formation of the Commission on July 25, 1996. A few days later, Vice President Gore led a site visit to Dulles International Airport, where he and other Commissioners saw airport and airline operations first-hand, and discussed issues with front line workers. This was the first of dozens of such visits. Over the next six months, the Commission visited facilities throughout the United States and in various locations abroad. Seeking to reach the broadest possible audience, the Commission established a homepage on the Internet (http://www.aviationcommission.dot.gov ), both to make the Commission's work available and to receive input. The web site has had almost 7,000 contacts, many providing valuable insights. The Commission held six public meetings, hearing from over fifty witnesses representing a cross section of the aviation industry and the public, including families of victims of air disasters. Recognizing the increasingly global nature of aviation, the Commission co-sponsored an International Conference on Aviation Safety and Security with the George Washington University, attended by over 700 representatives from sixty-one countries.

Out of this extensive process, the Commission compiled the recommendations presented in this final report.



Clinton Administration Counter Terrorism Initiative

http://www.cdt.org/security/usapatriot/1...


I. Actions Already Announced by the President

(1) Pass the Omnibus Counter-Terrorism Act of 1995
This bill would provide clear Federal criminal jurisdiction for any international terrorist attack that might occur in the United States; provide Federal criminal jurisdiction over terrorists who use the United States as the place from which to plan terrorist attacks overseas; provide a workable mechanism, utilizing United States District Judges appointed by the Chief Justice, to deport expeditiously alien terrorists without risking the disclosure of national security information or techniques; provide a new mechanism for preventing fundraising in the United States that supports international terrorist activities overseas; and would implement an international treaty requiring the insertion of a chemical agent into plastic explosives when manufactured to make them detectable.(2) Provide more tools to federal law enforcement agencies fighting terrorism
Amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to Ease access to financial and credit reports in anti-terrorism cases. This legislation provides for disclosures by consumer reporting agencies to the FBI for counterintelligence and counterterrorism purposes. The FBI has no mechanism for obtaining credit reports for lead purposes in counterterrorism cases. These reports are available to used car dealers and other merchants. The FBI currently has authority under the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 to obtain similar records pursuant to a "National Security Letter" signed by a high-ranking FBI official. the same procedures and safeguards would apply to credit records under this proposal.




Amend Federal law to adopt, in national security cases the standard currently used in obtaining a "pen register" in a routine criminal case. This proposal would extend the relaxed standard for obtaining "pen registers" and "trap and trace" device orders which already exists in routine criminal cases, to national security cases. A "pen register" is a device which records the number dialed on a telephone. A "trap and trace" devices is similar to "Caller ID," providing law enforcement with the telephone number from which a call originates. Neither "pen registers" nor "trap and trace" devices permit law enforcement to monitor actual conversations being conducted. the current, higher-than-regular standard impedes the ability of the FBI to obtain surveillance coverage of terrorists and spies.


Pass legislation to require hotel/Motel and common carriers to provide records necessary for fighting terrorism. This proposal would require hotel/motel and common carriers such as airlines and bus companies to provide records to the FBI pursuant to authorized national security requests just as they must do now for virtually all state and local law enforcement. The FBI must now rely on the voluntary assistance of motel, hotel, and other innkeepers or common carriers regarding records of terrorists who may have stayed at the establishment or used the common carrier. The FBI has found that, while some of these entities voluntarily provide such information, an increasing number refuse, absent a court order, a subpoena, or other legal protection. In a counterterrorism case being conducted pursuant to the Attorney General's guidelines for FBI Foreign Intelligence Collection and Foreign Counterintelligence Investigations, there is no legal mechanism, e.g. subpoena, available to obtain these records.


Fully Fund the FBI's "digital telephony" initiative to assure court-authorized law enforcement access for electronic surveillance to digitized communications. This proposal would appropriate funds to implement recent amendments to statutes governing secure telephone transmission (digital telephony). These amendments require telephone carriers to install and maintain sophisticated equipment which would permit law enforcement to continue to conduct legal electronic surveillance.


Create and allocate funds for a special FBI counterterrorist and counterintelligence fund. This proposal will fund costs associated cases which arise in connection with terrorism crises, including logistics and other support.


Create an interagency Domestic Counterterrorism Center headed by the FBI. This proposal will establish a partnership effort between the Justice Department, including the FBI, and other federal and state law enforcement authorities to coordinate efforts within the United States.(3) Conduct terrorism threat assessment of every federal facility in the country within the next 60 days. The President has directed the Attorney General to conduct this assessment and report her recommendations in 60 days. The assessment has already begun.

(4) Direct GSA to replace the federal building in Oklahoma City.

(5) Direct the FBI Director, the Attorney General, and the National Security Adviser to prepare a Presidential Decision Directive authorizing any and all further steps necessary to combat foreign and domestic terrorism.

II. New Legislative Proposals

(1) INVESTIGATIONS
Hire approximately 1000 new agents, prosecutors, and other federal law enforcement and support personnel to investigate, deter, and prosecute terrorist activity.




Pass legislation to require, within 1 year, the inclusion of taggants in standard explosive device raw materials which will permit tracing of the materials post-explosion . This proposal would require the inclusion of microscopic particles in certain raw materials, thereby permitting law enforcement to trace the source of the explosive even after a device has been detonated.


Require the BATF to study and report on 1) the tagging of explosive materials for purposes of identification and detection; 2) whether common chemicals used to manufacture explosives can be rendered inert for use in explosives; and 3) whether controls can be imposed on certain precursor chemicals used to manufacture explosives. In light of recent bombing incidents, there is a need to develop technologies that will make it possible to detect concealed explosives. Additionally, if bombings do take place, a means of providing some clues is needed to lead investigators to those responsible for the explosion. Moreover, since explosives can be manufactured using common agricultural and household materials, it is important to determine whether such materials can be manufactured in a manner so that their use in explosives is unlikely. Finally, the study would determine whether any reasonable controls can be placed on precursor chemicals, e.g., ammonium nitrate, which have many legitimate uses.


Amend the Posse Comitatus Act to permit military participation in crime-fighting involving weapons of mass destruction. This proposal would amend Federal Laws, which severely limit the role of the military in domestic law enforcement, to permit military participation in criminal cases involving chemical, biological, and other weapons of mass destruction; areas in which the military has specialized expertise.


Amend the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1968 to constitutionally enhance use of electronic surveillance to fight terrorism. This proposal would: permit any federal felony to be used as a basis for an electronic surveillance order; ease restrictions on the use, in American court proceedings, of information from electronic surveillance conducted by foreign governments; forbid suppression of electronic evidence unless law enforcement acted in bad faith in obtaining the evidence; authorize emergency electronic surveillance in situations involving threats by domestic terrorist organizations, authorize roving wiretaps where it is not practical to specify the number of the phone to be tapped, such as where a target uses multiple pay phones; allow the FBI to obtain records of local telephone calls, without the need for a court order, as they can own obtain records of long-diastase calls; and require telephone companies and/or service providers to preserve evidence until a court order could be obtained. None of these changes would alter the requirement for probable cause prior to engaging in electronic surveillance.

(2) PROSECUTION
Amend Federal law to criminalize the use of all chemical weapons to include all forms of chemical weapons. This bill would amend federal law to include chemical weapons in non-gaseous form. Under existing law, chemical weapons in gaseous form are covered, but those which are in liquid or solid form are not. Thus, for example, an individual who introduces dioxin in solid form into the water supply of a city would not be chargeable under current law.




Make it illegal to possess explosives knowing that they are stolen. This proposal would conform explosive laws to existing firearms statutes, making it a crime for an individual to possess explosives which the individual knows are stolen.


Extend the Statute of limitations on the National Firearms Act to five (5) years. This proposal would extend from three (3) to five (5) years the statute of limitations for prosecution for violations of the National Firearms Act, which deals with explosive and incendiary bombs. This change brings the statue of limitations for these offenses in line with similar criminal provisions.


Provide the Secretary of Treasury authority to direct the use of Treasury Department aircraft to support emergency law enforcement situations. This proposal would authorize the Secretary of Treasury to authorize the use of Treasury Department aircraft in support of emergency law enforcement crises.


Amend reward statutes to reduce restrictions on making rewards. This proposal would provide the Attorney General authority to pay a reward which is not subject to the spending limitations contained in 18 USC Sec. 3059 and 3072, provided that any reward of $100,000 or more may not be made without the approval of the President of the Attorney General, and such approval may not be delegated. (3) PENALTIES


Increase the penalty for anyone convicted of transferring a firearm or explosive knowing that it will be sue dot commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. This proposal will provide a mandatory penalty of not less than 10 years for any person who transfers a firearm knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that a firearm will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug-trafficking crime.




Amend 18 USC Sec. 111 to provide enhanced penalties for all current and former Federal employees against terrorist attacks. The existing statute only protects enumerated categories of current Federal employees. The proposed statute would provide enhanced penalties for crimes against all current and former Federal employees, and their immediate families, when the crime is committed because of the official duties of the federal employee.





The White House's Position on Terrorism
http://nsi.org/Library/Terrorism/policy....




Bill Clinton's Anti-Terrorism Measures


Former president offers approach for terrorism fight
Clinton proposes huge police buildup
1996 In Review: U.S. Fought Terrorism At Home And Abroad
The Covert Hunt for bin Laden
Backgrounder On Clinton No.1 Priority On Terrorism at G-7 Summit
Bill Clinton Terror Rumor Debunked
Clinton at UN focuses on Terrorism
Clinton Urges Anti-terrorism Action
Clinton seeks $1 billion to fight terrorism
House approves $29 billion anti-terror bill
Clinton Seeks Anti-Terrorism Aid
Clinton signs airport security measures into law
Clinton Targets Terrorism
Clinton's Letter to Congress on Freezing of bin Ladin Assets
Combatting Terrorism
Former envoys : Clinton gave Taliban evidence on bin Laden
President Clinton's Speech on Terrorist Attacks
President Swears to Use 'All Tools' Against Terrorism
U.S. Froze $254 Million In Taliban Cash in 1999
White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security The DOT Status Report
White House Fact Sheet on Counter-terrorism Measures
Don't blame it on Bill Clinton
Clinton's Compartments
The Usual Suspect
Clinton Backs Cyber-Terror Warnings
1996 Anti-terrorism Act
Republicans Watered Down 1996 Clinton Anti-Terrorism Bill Thanks to Lott & Hatch
Clinton backs tech war on terror


Republicans Watered Down 1996 Clinton Anti-Terrorism Bill


http://www.angelfire.com/rant/sstewert/N...

OR TRY THIS LINK..
http://www.angelfire.com/rant/sstewert/News/clintonbill.html


Republicans Watered Down 1996 Clinton
Anti-Terrorism Bill, Thanks to Lott & Hatch



10-16-01, Since all the republicans want to blame clinton for all the worlds problems these articles should open some eyes. I wonder why the mainstream media or O'Reilly or Rush or FOX news never mention these facts when they blame Clinton for everything ?

7-30-1996, WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton urged Congress Tuesday to act swiftly in developing anti-terrorism legislation before its August recess.

"We need to keep this country together right now. We need to focus on this terrorism issue," Clinton said during a White House news conference.

But while the president pushed for quick legislation, Republican lawmakers hardened their stance against some of the proposed anti-terrorism measures.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, doubted that the Senate would rush to action before they recess this weekend. The Senate needs to study all the options, he said, and trying to get it done in the next three days would be tough.

One key GOP senator was more critical, calling a proposed study of chemical markers in explosives "a phony issue."

Taggants value disputed

Clinton said he knew there was Republican opposition to his proposal on explosive taggants, but it should not be allowed to block the provisions on which both parties agree.

"What I urge them to do is to be explicit about their disagreement, but don't let it overcome the areas of agreement," he said.

The president emphasized coming to terms on specific areas of disagreement would help move the legislation along. The president stressed it's important to get the legislation out before the weekend's recess, especially following the bombing of Centennial Olympic Park and the crash of TWA Flight 800.

"The most important thing right now is that they get the best, strongest bill they can out -- that they give us as much help as they can," he said.

Hatch blasts 'phony' issues

Republican leaders earlier met with White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta for about an hour in response to the president's call for "the very best ideas" for fighting terrorism.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emerged from the meeting and said, "These are very controversial provisions that the White House wants. Some they're not going to get."

Hatch called Clinton's proposed study of taggants -- chemical markers in explosives that could help track terrorists -- "a phony issue."

"If they want to, they can study the thing" already, Hatch asserted. He also said he had some problems with the president's proposals to expand wiretapping.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, said it is a mistake if Congress leaves town without addressing anti-terrorism legislation. Daschle is expected to hold a special meeting on the matter Wednesday with Congressional leaders.

April 16, 1996, WASHINGTON (CNN) -- By Friday, the first anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, Congress is expected to pass an anti- terrorism bill which addresses some, though not all, of the concerns the bombing raised over Americans' safety.

Congressional leaders, flanked by survivors and relatives of victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, unveiled compromise legislation Monday to increase federal powers to fight terrorism and limit appeals by death-row inmates.

As the trial nears for the accused, those who lost relatives in the bombing say the proposed law should put the concerns of victims above those of terrorists.

"We have forgotten that anyone who murdered has relinquished rights for compassion," said Diane Leonard, the widow of a Secret Service agent killed in the bombing.

Only one element of the anti-terrorism bill has a potential effect on the Oklahoma City case. It would limit the number and duration of appeals a convicted death row inmate could file.

President Clinton has expressed concern over the death penalty provision, but Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah said he had spoken with the president about the provision, and feels confident his objection is not strong enough to elicit a veto.

Hatch said the compromise bill would prevent international terrorist organizations from raising money in the United States and provide for the swift deportation of international terrorists.

The demand for an anti-terrorism bill precedes Oklahoma City and was shaped by the attacks on Pan Am flight 103 which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland and the bombing of the World Trade Center.

The bill, which would cost $1 billion over four years, also calls for "tagging" plastic explosives to better trace them. The bill calls for a study on tagging methods for other explosives such as fertilizer and black powder. Critics say the study provision is a concession to groups opposed to restrictions on explosive materials.

The Republicans also dropped the additional wire-tap authority the Clinton administration wanted. U.S. Attorney general Janet Reno had asked for "multi-point" tapping of suspected terrorists, who may be using advanced technology to outpace authorities.

Rep. Charles Schumer, D-New York, said technology is giving criminals an advantage. "What the terrorists do is they take one cellular phone, use the number for a few days, throw it out and use a different phone with a different number," he said. "All we are saying is tap the person, not the phone number."

Still, Schumer said the bill is "better than nothing" and should get some Democratic votes.

President Clinton asked Congress to give him the anti- terrorism bill by the first anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19. And he'll get it. While it might not be all the president wants, administration officials indicate it's a bill he can sign.

Congress Passes Anti-Terrorism Bill

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congress on Thursday passed a compromise bill boosting the ability of law enforcement authorities to fight domestic terrorism, just one day before the first anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

The House voted, 293-133, to send the anti-terrorism bill to President Clinton, who has indicated that he will sign it after he returns from his overseas trip next week.

------------------------------------------------------

The measure, which the Senate passed overwhelmingly Wednesday evening, is a watered-down version of the White House's proposal. The Clinton administration has been critical of the bill, calling it too weak.

Note: The senate was controlled by the republicans in 1996. Trent Lott was the majority leader.

------------------------------------------------------

The original House bill, passed last month, had deleted many of the Senate's anti-terrorism provisions because of lawmakers' concerns about increasing federal law enforcement powers. Some of those provisions were restored in the compromise bill.

The bill imposes limits on federal appeals by death row inmates and other prisoners and makes the death penalty available in some international terrorism cases and in cases where a federal employee is killed on duty.

The bill "has some very effective tools that we can use in our efforts to combat terrorism," Attorney General Janet Reno said Thursday.

But she was less enthusiastic about the bill's limits on federal appeals by death row inmates and other prisoners. She was also concerned that the bill would make it more difficult for federal judges to overturn state court rulings.

Republicans were divided on whether the legislation would be effective.

"We have a measure that will give us a strong upper hand in the battle to prevent and punish domestic and international terrorism," Senate Majority Leader and presumptive GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole said Wednesday.

But Sen. Don Nickles, R-Oklahoma, while praising the bill, said the country remains "very open" to terrorism. "Will it stop any acts of terrorism, domestic and international? No," he said, adding, "We don't want a police state."

Some lawmakers took a more prudent view of the bill. "The balance between public safety and order and individual rights is always a difficult dilemma in a free society," said Rep. Gerald Solomon, R-New York.

Congressional leaders had initially promised to complete the bill six weeks after the Oklahoma City federal building bombing that killed 168 people last April 19.

Congress reached compromise on anti-terrorism bill.


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Karenina Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:07 PM
Response to Reply #5
6. I was LOOKING for that!
THANX!!!
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:14 PM
Response to Reply #5
8. Sweet Baby James!! Thanks! I'm not getting anything from the
angelfire link though.
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Warpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:20 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. Try this one
Will Pitt did a great job at: http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/101303A.shtml
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:28 PM
Response to Reply #9
16. Thanks, I'll have to look more into Jesse Helms working against
Clinton's anti-terrorism measures.
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Warpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:39 PM
Response to Reply #16
25. Check out Phil Gramm, too
He chaired the banking committee. Clinton wanted to push legislation tightening up offshore cash conduits. Gramm refused to let it get out of committee, calling it "fascist." Really.

It turns out he was protecting Enron, which was using the same conduits being used by bin Laden's people to launder shareholder cash.

This is the one piece of legislation, IMO, that had the greatest potential to stop what happened on 9/11. May Phil Gramm rot in whatever hell he believes in.
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:07 PM
Response to Reply #25
37. If I could turn back time, 1996 is where I'd go. 3000+ lives lost
for the sake of their games, back to the present their playing continues. Republicans: Our country is not your checkerboard.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:24 PM
Response to Reply #8
12. MUCH OF THIS I HAVE IN MY FILES AND SOME LINKS NO LONGER WORK..
SORRY..
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:30 PM
Response to Reply #12
19. That's OK, I'm c/p'ing the list of articles titles found under
'Bill Clinton's Anti-Terrorism Measures' and it's bringing me to beautiful, perfect articles. Thank You!!
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:27 PM
Response to Reply #8
15. TRY THIS LINK
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:33 PM
Response to Reply #15
22. Bill Clinton said the Senate's terrorism measures were too weak;
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congress on Thursday passed a compromise bill boosting the ability of law enforcement authorities to fight domestic terrorism, just one day before the first anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

The House voted, 293-133, to send the anti-terrorism bill to President Clinton, who has indicated that he will sign it after he returns from his overseas trip next week.

------------------------------------------------------

The measure, which the Senate passed overwhelmingly Wednesday evening, is a watered-down version of the White House's proposal. The Clinton administration has been critical of the bill, calling it too weak.

Note: The senate was controlled by the republicans in 1996. Trent Lott was the majority leader.
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:22 PM
Response to Reply #5
10. Here's your money shot:
"The former president also outlined steps his administration had taken to reduce the threat of terrorism, including ratifying the chemical weapons convention, helping local authorities across the nation to prepare their response to a terrorist attack, and stockpiling vaccines, antibiotics and antidotes, in case of biological warfare."

Found at the bottom of this Nov. 2001 article

http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/11/19/gen.clinton.terror/index.html

Thanks again for the list.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:23 PM
Response to Reply #5
11. President wants Senate to hurry with new anti-terrorism laws
http://www.cnn.com/US/9607/30/clinton.terrorism/

President wants Senate to hurry with new anti-terrorism laws
July 30, 1996


Web posted at: 8:40 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton urged Congress Tuesday to act swiftly in developing anti-terrorism legislation before its August recess. (1.6 MB AIFF or WAV sound)

"We need to keep this country together right now. We need to focus on this terrorism issue," Clinton said during a White House news conference.

But while the president pushed for quick legislation, Republican lawmakers hardened their stance against some of the proposed anti-terrorism measures.


Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, doubted that the Senate would rush to action before they recess this weekend. The Senate needs to study all the options, he said, and trying to get it done in the next three days would be tough.

One key GOP senator was more critical, calling a proposed study of chemical markers in explosives "a phony issue."
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:41 PM
Response to Reply #5
27. This one is a thing of beauty,
U.S. Department of State
Dispatch Volume 7, Supplement No. 2, June 1996
Bureau of Public Affairs

Group of Seven (G-7)1996 Economic Summit
Lyon, France
June 26-30, 1996



ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Fighting Terrorism: Top Priority on G-7 Agenda--President Clinton,
French President Chirac
2. Declaration on Terrorism
3. The G-7 Summit: International Issues--Secretary Christopher, Treasury
Secretary Rubin
4. Lyon Summit Communique: Making A Success of Globalization for the
Benefit of All
5. The G-7 Summit: Achieving Key Objectives--President Clinton
6. Lyon Summit Chairman's Statement: Toward Greater Security and
Stability in a More Cooperative World


ARTICLE 1

Fighting Terrorism: Top Priority on G-7 Agenda
President Clinton, French President Chirac
Opening statements at a news conference, Lyon, France, June 27, 1996

President Chirac. Ladies and gentlemen, this press point is, in fact, to
explain to you that we changed our agenda at the G-7. We were united in
condemning the dreadful bombing that has taken place and the fact that
the United States and Saudi Arabia have fallen victim to this appalling
event.

We expressed our deepest sympathy to the president of the United States
and the people of the United States as well, and we decided to place
terrorism on our agenda as the very first point for discussion and to
prepare a communique in order to fight this scourge. This is a
communique which you will be receiving at the close of this pre-press
conference so that you can see the top priority that we assign to
fighting terrorism.

We have also agreed to convene a ministerial conference in about three
week's time, which will be attended by the ministers of foreign affairs
and ministers responsible for security at the level of the eight
countries meeting here. This is all designed to identify the steps which
will bolster our fight against terrorism.


President Clinton. I want to thank President Chirac and my other G-7
colleagues for their very powerful statements and their expressions of
sympathy to the victims and their families.

We have once again stood united against terrorism. We understand that an
attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and that none of us is
invulnerable. Attacks of terror can occur anywhere, whether in a Paris
metro station or in Manchester or the subway in Tokyo or the World Trade
Center or the Oklahoma City Federal Building. This latest act of outrage
reminds us of one of the great burdens of the modern world.

As we become more open, as our borders become freer to cross, as we
can move information and money and people and material across national
boundaries more quickly, we all become more vulnerable to terrorists, to
the organized forces of destruction, to those who live to kill for
ethnic or racial or religious reasons, especially. And I want to
emphasize that I am convinced that the G-7 leaders are every bit as
determined as I am to take stronger action.

In the next day or two we will be discussing, as I said earlier, 40
specific actions we can take to try to protect our borders, to try to
stop the legal weapons trade, to try to stop the money laundering and
illegal currency transactions, to try to protect the witnesses and
others who support our efforts to crack terrorists and their operations.
And then President Chirac, in suggesting this ministerial, has given us
the chance to try to come up with even more specific steps that will
involve, we hope, even more people rallying to our cause.

This is a very sad day for the United States. I have been very moved by
the deep and genuine expressions of condolence by the president of
France and the other leaders here. But I have been even more moved by
the determination that they have shared with me in common to take
stronger stands against terrorism, to prevail and not to give in. That
is the message we want to go out to the world tonight.
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:49 PM
Response to Reply #5
29. Big difference between Clinton's anti terrorism measures and Bush's
is that Clinton's focus was on humanity, peace and prosperity for it, Bush's focus is on a fake call for Democracy that is a cure-all for what ails a country.

Clinton at UN focuses on Terrorism
Regional-USA, Politics, 9/22/1998

Yesterday US President Bill Clinton addressed the United Nations General Assembly, including dealing with the issues of Islam in the United States and terrorism.

The full text of Clinton's statement is reproduced below:

:snipping some stuff where Clinton was speaking at the UN about what he was doing to fight terrorism:

Obviously this is a matter of profound concern to us. In the last 15 years our citizens have been targeted over and over again -- in Beirut, over Lockerbie, in Saudi Arabia, at home in Oklahoma City by one of our own citizens, and even here in New York in one of our most public buildings, and most recently on August 7th in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, where Americans who devoted their lives to building bridges between nations, people very much like all of you, died in a campaign of hatred against the United States.

Because we are blessed to be a wealthy nation with a powerful military and a worldwide presence active in promoting peace and security, we are often a target. We love our country for its dedication to political and religious freedom, to economic opportunity, to respect for the rights of the individual. But we know many people see us as a symbol of a system and values they reject, and often they find it expedient to blame us for problems with deep roots elsewhere.

But we are no threat to any peaceful nation, and we believe the best way to disprove these claims is to continue our work for peace and prosperity around the world. For us to pull back from the world's trouble spots, to turn our backs on those taking risks for peace, to weaken our own opposition to terrorism, would hand the enemies of peace a victory they must never have.

Still, it is a grave misconception to see terrorism as only, or even mostly, an American problem. Indeed, it is a clear and present danger to tolerant and open societies and innocent people everywhere. No one in this room, nor the people you represent, are immune.
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:53 PM
Response to Reply #5
30. "Terrorists won't wait, and neither should we" said our Bill
Clinton seeks $1 billion to fight terrorism
Clinton

September 9, 1996
Web posted at: 1:00 p.m. EDT

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton accepted recommendations from a White House commission on aviation safety Monday and called on Congress to provide $1 billion dollars to fund new anti-terrorism measures before it adjourns in October. (20 sec./430K AIFF or WAV sound)icon

"Terrorists don't wait, and neither should we," the president said during a ceremony in the Oval Office. The report was prepared by the Commission on Aviation Safety and Security chaired by Vice President Al Gore. (11 sec./249K AIFF or WAV sound)icon

Gore said the report's recommendations represented "a combination of approaches -- some high-tech, some low-tech, even some no-tech."

Clinton said that his administration is committed to battling terrorism "on every front".

This was found by searching for "Clinton seeks $1 billion to fight terrorism"
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:56 PM
Response to Reply #5
32. Clinton signs airport security measures into law
Clinton signs airport security measures into law

October 9, 1996
Web posted at: 12:15 p.m. EDT
Clinton

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton on Wednesday signed into law the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 1996, which includes some of the wide-ranging security measures recommended by Vice President Al Gore's aviation security commission.

"(The bill) will improve the security of air travel," the president said at a signing ceremony in the Old Executive Office Building. "It will carry forward our fight against terrorism." (14 sec./160K AIFF or WAV sound)

The measure, combined with a budget bill signed last week, authorizes the installation of new bomb-detection scanners to examine both carry-on and checked baggage at major airports, pays for new FBI agents to be assigned to airport security, increases inspection of mail on board flights, and increases the use of bomb-sniffing dogs.
sign

Gore's commission presented its report and recommendations on September 9. Clinton said Wednesday that the bill he was signing made almost all of those recommendations "the law of the land."
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:30 PM
Response to Reply #32
44. Bush Held Up Plan to Hit Bin Laden
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0805-04.htm

Published on Monday, August 5, 2002 in the Guardian of London
Bush Held Up Plan to Hit Bin Laden
by Julian Borger in Washington

The Bush administration sat on a Clinton-era plan to attack al-Qaida in Afghanistan for eight months because of political hostility to the outgoing president and competing priorities, it was reported yesterday.

The plan, under which special forces troops would have been sent after Osama bin Laden, was drawn up in the last days of the Clinton administration but a decision was left to the incoming Bush team.

However, a top-level discussion of the proposals took place only on September 4, a week before the al-Qaida attacks on New York and Washington. In the months in between, the plan was shuffled through the bureaucracy by an administration distrustful of anything to do with Bill Clinton and which appeared fixated on national missile defense and the war on drugs, rather than the struggle against terrorism.

The news emerged as the political truce that followed the terrorist attacks evaporates in the heat of the looming congressional elections in November. It represents the strongest indictment so far of the Bush team's preparedness for an attack.

The plan to take the counter-terrorist battle to al-Qaida was drafted after the attack on the warship the USS Cole in Yemen in October 2000. Mr Clinton's terrorism expert, Richard Clarke, presented it to senior officials in December, but it was decided that the decision should be taken by the new administration.

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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:32 PM
Response to Reply #44
45. Long before 9/11 - They Had A Plan
http://www.apfn.net/messageboard/9-11-02/discussion.cgi.44.shtml


APFN
Long before 9/11 - They Had A Plan
Tue Sep 10 05:33:29 2002
68.98.68.169

They Had A Plan


Long before 9/11, the White House debated taking
the fight to al-Qaeda. By the time they decided, it
was too late. The saga of a lost chance



By Michael Elliott



Posted Sunday, Aug. 4, 2002; 2:31 a.m. EST
Sometimes history is made by the force of arms on battlefields,
sometimes by the fall of an exhausted empire. But often when
historians set about figuring why a nation took one course rather
than another, they are most interested in who said what to whom at a
meeting far from the public eye whose true significance may have
been missed even by those who took part in it.

One such meeting took place in the White House situation room
during the first week of January 2001. The session was part of a
program designed by Bill Clinton's National Security Adviser, Sandy
Berger, who wanted the transition between the Clinton and George
W. Bush administrations to run as smoothly as possible. With some
bitterness, Berger remembered how little he and his colleagues had
been helped by the first Bush Administration in 1992-93. Eager to
avoid a repeat of that experience, he had set up a series of 10
briefings by his team for his successor, Condoleezza Rice, and her
deputy, Stephen Hadley.

Berger attended only one of the briefings—the session that dealt with
the threat posed to the U.S. by international terrorism, and especially
by al-Qaeda. "I'm coming to this briefing," he says he told Rice, "to
underscore how important I think this subject is." Later, alone in his
office with Rice, Berger says he told her, "I believe that the Bush
Administration will spend more time on terrorism generally, and on
al-Qaeda specifically, than any other subject."

The terrorism briefing was delivered by Richard Clarke, a career
bureaucrat who had served in the first Bush Administration and risen
during the Clinton years to become the White House's point man on
terrorism. As chair of the interagency Counter-Terrorism Security
Group (CSG), Clarke was known as a bit of an obsessive—just the
sort of person you want in a job of that kind. Since the bombing of the
U.S.S. Cole in Yemen on Oct. 12, 2000—an attack that left 17
Americans dead—he had been working on an aggressive plan to
take the fight to al-Qaeda. The result was a strategy paper that he
had presented to Berger and the other national security "principals"
on Dec. 20. But Berger and the principals decided to shelve the plan
and let the next Administration take it up. With less than a month left
in office, they did not think it appropriate to launch a major initiative
against Osama bin Laden. "We would be handing Administration] a war when they took office on Jan. 20," says a former
senior Clinton aide. "That wasn't going to happen." Now it was up to
Rice's team to consider what Clarke had put together.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:35 PM
Response to Reply #45
46. Bush held up plan to hit Bin Laden


According to today's Time magazine, Mr Clinton's national security adviser, Sandy Berger and Mr Clarke outlined the threat in briefings they provided for Condoleezza Rice, George Bush's national security adviser, in January 2001, a few weeks before she and her team took up their posts.

At the key briefing, Mr Clarke presented proposals to "roll back" al-Qaida which closely resemble the measures taken after September 11. Its financial network would be broken up and its assets frozen. Vulnerable countries like Uzbekistan, Yemen and the Philippines would be given aid to help them stamp out terrorist cells.
http://www.thedubyareport.com/gubush911.html
Bush held up plan to hit Bin Laden
THE GUARDIAN
Julian Borger
Monday August 5, 2002


Crucially, the US would go after Bin Laden in his Afghan lair. Plans would be drawn up for combined air and special forces operations, while support would be channelled to the Northern Alliance in its fight against the Taliban and its al-Qaida allies.

Mr Clarke, who stayed on in his job as White House counter-terrorism tsar, repeated his briefing for vice president Dick Cheney in February. However, the proposals got lost in the clumsy transition process, turf wars between departments and the separate agendas of senior members of the Bush administration.

It was, the Time article argues, "a systematic collapse in the ability of Washington's national security apparatus to handle the terrorist threat".

Bush administration officials have played down the significance of the January briefings, describing them as simply advocating "a more active approach". Ms Rice issued a statement saying she did not even recall a briefing at which Mr Berger was present.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:36 PM
Response to Reply #46
47. TIME MAGAZINE:They Had A Plan
http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101020812/story.html


They Had A Plan

Long before 9/11, the White House debated taking the fight to al-Qaeda. By the time they decided, it was too late. The saga of a lost chance


By Michael Elliott


Posted Sunday, Aug. 4, 2002; 2:31 a.m. EST
Sometimes history is made by the force of arms on battlefields, sometimes by the fall of an exhausted empire. But often when historians set about figuring why a nation took one course rather than another, they are most interested in who said what to whom at a meeting far from the public eye whose true significance may have been missed even by those who took part in it.

One such meeting took place in the White House situation room during the first week of January 2001. The session was part of a program designed by Bill Clinton's National Security Adviser, Sandy Berger, who wanted the transition between the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations to run as smoothly as possible. With some bitterness, Berger remembered how little he and his colleagues had been helped by the first Bush Administration in 1992-93. Eager to avoid a repeat of that experience, he had set up a series of 10 briefings by his team for his successor, Condoleezza Rice, and her deputy, Stephen Hadley.

Berger attended only one of the briefings—the session that dealt with the threat posed to the U.S. by international terrorism, and especially by al-Qaeda. "I'm coming to this briefing," he says he told Rice, "to underscore how important I think this subject is." Later, alone in his office with Rice, Berger says he told her, "I believe that the Bush Administration will spend more time on terrorism generally, and on al-Qaeda specifically, than any other subject."

The terrorism briefing was delivered by Richard Clarke, a career bureaucrat who had served in the first Bush Administration and risen during the Clinton years to become the White House's point man on terrorism. As chair of the interagency Counter-Terrorism Security Group (CSG), Clarke was known as a bit of an obsessive—just the sort of person you want in a job of that kind. Since the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole in Yemen on Oct. 12, 2000—an attack that left 17 Americans dead—he had been working on an aggressive plan to take the fight to al-Qaeda. The result was a strategy paper that he had presented to Berger and the other national security "principals" on Dec. 20. But Berger and the principals decided to shelve the plan and let the next Administration take it up. With less than a month left in office, they did not think it appropriate to launch a major initiative against Osama bin Laden. "We would be handing a war when they took office on Jan. 20," says a former senior Clinton aide. "That wasn't going to happen." Now it was up to Rice's team to consider what Clarke had put together.
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 09:54 AM
Response to Reply #5
52. I'd like to thank you, Flyarm, for taking the time to get all this
information here for us. I have 11 sources of excellent information that I will condense into my flier and will post it here when I have it finished. I will have copies of the flier to give out to everyone who visits our booth and then will have print-outs of the complete documents to the side for anyone who needs more info or additional proof. (I wanted to mention that our event is week-long but I'm going to hold off until Tuesday to start distribution, I won't join in the debacle when our country should be standing together in remembrance of those who died on September 11, 2001).

Thanks again, everyone!!!

Democrats working together to SaveAmerica
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #52
56. YOUR WELCOME..I HAVE KEPT THIS STUFF IN MY FILES FOR A VERY LONG TIME
I JUST WISH PEOPLE WOULD LINK TO THIS THREAD WHEN TAKING THIS INFO..AND USING IN OTHER THREADS..

FLY
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sandnsea Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:25 PM
Response to Original message
13. Is it okay to be "warmongers" now??
This is great stuff and I support it 100%.

But - I have to remind folks that every time the Dems tried putting forward a tough and smart on terrorism platform in 2004, they were met with charges of trying to out-war the war party. Or playing into the lies about terrorism. Or pandering to the terra terra terra crowd. It is an example of us being our own worst enemy that no amount of "balls" or "marketing" can overcome.
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Uben Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:26 PM
Response to Original message
14. Here is some of Will Pitts info
Starting in 1995, Clinton took actions against terrorism that were unprecedented in American history. He poured billions and billions of dollars into counterterrorism activities across the entire spectrum of the intelligence community. He poured billions more into the protection of critical infrastructure. He ordered massive federal stockpiling of antidotes and vaccines to prepare for a possible bioterror attack. He order a reorganization of the intelligence community itself, ramming through reforms and new procedures to address the demonstrable threat. Within the National Security Council, "threat meetings" were held three times a week to assess looming conspiracies. His National Security Advisor, Sandy Berger, prepared a voluminous dossier on al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, actively tracking them across the planet. Clinton raised the issue of terrorism in virtually every important speech he gave in the last three years of his tenure. In 1996, Clinton delivered a major address to the United Nations on the matter of international terrorism, calling it "The enemy of our generation."

Behind the scenes, he leaned vigorously on the leaders of nations within the terrorist sphere. In particular, he pushed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to assist him in dealing with the threat from neighboring Afghanistan and its favorite guest, Osama bin Laden. Before Sharif could be compelled to act, he was thrown out of office by his own army. His replacement, Pervez Musharraf, pointedly refused to do anything to assist Clinton in dealing with these threats. Despite these and other diplomatic setbacks, terrorist cell after terrorist cell were destroyed across the world, and bomb plots against American embassies were thwarted. Because of security concerns, these victories were never revealed to the American people until very recently.

In America, few people heard anything about this. Clinton's dire public warnings about the threat posed by terrorism, and the massive non-secret actions taken to thwart it, went completely unreported by the media, which was far more concerned with stained dresses and baseless Drudge Report rumors. When the administration did act militarily against bin Laden and his terrorist network, the actions were dismissed by partisans within the media and Congress as scandalous "wag the dog" tactics. The TV networks actually broadcast clips of the movie "Wag The Dog" to accentuate the idea that everything the administration was doing was contrived fakery.

The bombing of the Sundanese factory at al-Shifa, in particular, drew wide condemnation from these quarters, despite the fact that the CIA found and certified VX nerve agent precursor in the ground outside the factory, despite the fact that the factory was owned by Osama bin Laden's Military Industrial Corporation, and despite the fact that the manager of the factory lived in bin Laden's villa in Khartoum. The book "Age of Sacred Terror" quantifies the al-Shifa issue thusly: "The dismissal of the al-Shifa attack as a scandalous blunder had serious consequences, including the failure of the public to comprehend the nature of the al Qaeda threat."

In Congress, Clinton was thwarted by the reactionary conservative majority in virtually every attempt he made to pass legislation that would attack al Qaeda and terrorism. His 1996 omnibus terror bill, which included many of the anti-terror measures we now take for granted after September 11, was withered almost to the point of uselessness by attacks from the right; Jesse Helms and Trent Lott were openly dismissive of the threats Clinton spoke of.

Clinton wanted to attack the financial underpinnings of the al-Qaeda network by banning American companies and individuals from dealing with foreign banks and financial institutions that al Qaeda was using for its money-laundering operations. Texas Senator Phil Gramm, chairman of the Banking Committee, killed Clinton's bill on this matter and called it "totalitarian." In fact, he was compelled to kill the bill because his most devoted patrons, the Enron Corporation and its criminal executives in Houston, were using those same terrorist financial networks to launder their own dirty money and rip off the Enron stockholders.

Just before departing office, Clinton managed to make a deal with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to have some twenty nations close tax havens used by al Qaeda. His term ended before the deal was sealed, and the incoming Bush administration acted immediately to destroy the agreement. According to Time magazine, in an article entitled "Banking on Secrecy" published in October of 2001, Bush economic advisors Larry Lindsey and R. Glenn Hubbard were urged by think tanks like the Center for Freedom and Prosperity to opt out of the coalition Clinton had formed. The conservative Heritage Foundation lobbied Bush's Treasury Secretary, Paul O'Neill, to do the same. In the end, the lobbyists got what they wanted, and the Bush administration pulled America out of the plan. The Time article stated, "Without the world's financial superpower, the biggest effort in years to rid the world's financial system of dirty money was short-circuited."

This laundry list of partisan catastrophes goes on and on. Far from being inept on the matter of terrorism, Clinton was profoundly activist in his attempts to address terrorism. Much of his work was foiled by right-wing Congressional conservatives who, simply, refused to accept the fact that he was President. These men, paid to work for the public trust, spent eight years working diligently to paralyze any and all Clinton policies, including anti-terror initiatives that, if enacted, would have gone a long way towards thwarting the September 11 attacks. Beyond them lay the worthless television media, which ignored and spun the terrorist issue as it pursued salacious leaks from Ken Starr's office, leaving the American people drowning in a swamp of ignorance on a matter of deadly global importance.

Over and above the theoretical questions regarding whether or not Clinton's anti-terror policies, if passed, would have stopped September 11 lies the very real fact that attacks very much like 9/11 were, in fact, stopped dead by the Clinton administration. The most glaring example of this came on December 31, 1999, when the world gathered to celebrate the passing of the millennium. On that night, al Qaeda was gathering as well.

The terrorist network planned to simultaneously attack the national airports in Washington DC and Los Angeles, the Amman Raddison Hotel in Jordan, a constellation of holy sites in Israel, and the USS The Sullivans at dock in Yemen. Each and every single one of these plots, which ranged from one side of the planet to the other, was foiled by the efforts of the Clinton administration. Speaking for the first time about these millennium plots, in a speech delivered to the Coast Guard Academy on May 17, 2000, Clinton said, "I want to tell you a story that, unfortunately, will not be the last example you will have to face."

Indeed.

Clinton proved that Osama bin Laden and his terror network can be foiled, can be thwarted, can be stopped. The multifaceted and complex nature of the international millennium plots rivals the plans laid before September 11, and involved counter-terrorism actions within several countries and across the entire American intelligence and military community. All resources were brought to bear, and the terrorists went down to defeat. The proof is in the pudding here. September 11, like the millennium plots, could have been avoided.

Couple this with other facts about the Bush administration we now have in hand. The administration was warned about a massive terror plot in the months before September by the security services of several countries, including Israel, Egypt, Germany and Russia. CIA Director George Tenet delivered a specific briefing on the matter to the administration on August 8, 2001. The massive compendium of data on Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda compiled by Sandy Berger, and delivered to Condoleezza Rice upon his departure, went completely and admittedly unread until the attacks took place. The attacks themselves managed, for over an hour, to pierce the most formidable air defense system in the history of the Earth without a single fighter aircraft taking wing until the catastrophe was concluded.

Given the facts above, and the realities we face about the administration of George W. Bush, and the realities we endure regarding the aftermath of September 11, the United States of America would be, and was, well served by its previous leader. That we do not know this, that September 11 happened at all, that it was such a wretched shock to the American people, that we were so woefully unprepared, can be laid at the feet of a failed news media establishment, and at the feet of a pack of power-mad conservative extremists who now have a great deal to atone for.

Had Clinton been heeded, the measures he espoused would have been put in place, and a number of powerful bulwarks would have been thrown into the paths of those commercial airplanes. Had the news media been something other than a purveyor of masturbation fantasies from the far-right, the American people would have know the threats we faced, and would have compelled their Congressmen to act. Had Congress itself been something other than an institution ruled by narrow men whose only desire was to break a sitting President by any means necessary, we would very probably still have a New York skyline dominated by two soaring towers.

Had the Bush administration not continued this pattern of gross partisan ineptitude and heeded the blitz of domestic and international warnings, instead of trooping off to Texas for a month-long vacation, had Bush's National Security Advisor done one hour's worth of her homework, we probably would not be in the grotesque global mess that currently envelops us. Never forget that many of the activists who pushed throughout the 1990s for the annihilation of all things Clinton are now foursquare in charge of the country today.
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BootinUp Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:28 PM
Response to Original message
17. William Pitt posted an excellent summary, let me find it.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:30 PM
Response to Original message
18. CHECK THIS OUT...
I HAVE THIS IN MY FILES..BUT SORRY NO SOURCE..IT IS OLD..

Under President Clinton:

-- Developed the nation's first anti-terrorism policy, and appointed first national coordinator of anti-terrorist efforts.

--Stopped cold the Al Qaeda millennium bombing plot.
--Stopped cold the planned attack to kill the Pope
--Stopped cold the planned attack to blow up 12 U.S. jetliners simultaneously
--Stopped cold the planned attack to blow up UN Headquarters
--Stopped cold the planned attack to blow up FBI Headquarters
--Stopped cold the planned attack to blow up the Israeli Embassy in Washington
--Stopped cold the planned attack to blow up Boston airport
--Stopped cold the planned attack to blow up Lincoln and Holland Tunnels in NY
--Stopped cold the planned attack to blow up the George Washington Bridge
--Stopped cold the planned attack to blow up the US Embassy in Albania

-- Tried to kill Osama bin Laden and disrupt Al Qaeda through preemptive strikes (efforts denounced by the G.O.P.).

-- Brought perpetrators of first World Trade Center bombing and CIA killings to justice.

-- Did not blame Bush I administration for first World Trade Center bombing even though it occurred 38 days after they had left office. Instead, worked hard, even obsessively -- and successfully -- to stop future terrorist attacks.

--Named the Hart-Rudman commission to report on nature of terrorist threats and major steps to be taken to combat terrorism.

-Clinton sent legislation to Congress to TIGHTEN AIRPORT SECURITY. (Remember, this is before 911) The legislation was defeated by the Republicans because of opposition from the airlines.

-Clinton sent legislation to Congress to allow for BETTER TRACKING OF TERRORIST FUNDING. It was defeated by Republicans in the Senate because of opposition from banking interests.

-Clinton sent legislation to Congress to add tagents to explosives, to allow for BETTER TRACKING OF EXPLOSIVES USED BY TERRORISTS. It was defeated by the Republicans because of opposition from the NRA.
-Clinton tripled the budget of the FBI for counterterrorism and doubled overall funding for counterterrorism
-Clinton detected and destroyed cells of Al Qaeda in over 20 countries
-Clinton created national stockpile of drugs and vaccines including 40 million doses of smallpox vaccine.
-Of Clinton's efforts says Robert Oakley, Reagan Ambassador for Counterterrorism: "Overall, I give them very high marks" and "The only major criticism I have is the obsession with Osama"
-Paul Bremer, current Civilian Administrator of Iraq disagrees slightly with Robert Oakley as he believed the Clinton Administration had "correctly focused on bin Laden.
-Barton Gellman in the Washington Post put it best, "By any measure available, Clinton left office having given greater priority to terrorism than any president before him" and was the "first administration to underatake a systematic anti-terrorist effort"

Here, in stark contrast, is part of the Bush-Cheney anti-terrorism record before September 11, 2001:


-- Backed off Clinton administration's anti-terrorism efforts.
-- Shelved Hart-Rudman report.
-- Appointed new anti-terrorism task force under Dick Cheney. Group did not even meet before 9/11.
-- Called for cuts in anti-terrorism efforts by the Department of Defense
-- Gave no priority to anti-terrorism efforts by Justice Department.
-- Ignored warnings from Sandy Berger and Louis Freeh about the urgency of terrorist threats.
-- Halted Predator drone tracking of Osama bin Laden.
-- Did nothing in wake of August 6 C.I.A. report to president saying Al Qaeda attack by hijack of an airliner almost certain.
----Now we've got Bush knowing about the terrorists plans, and the fact that they were in flight schools in the US, and little georgie takes a four week vacation..
-- By failing to order any coordination of intelligence data, missed opportunity to stop the 9/11 plot as Clinton-Gore had stopped the millennium plot.
--Blamed Clinton for 9/11.

--In the meantime, his father was working for bin Laden's family business. "Wall St Journal: Bush SR in Business With bin Laden Conglomerate"

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DianaForRussFeingold Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:30 PM
Response to Original message
20. Great Idea! K&R Good Luck with The Fliers,I Would Love to See
:patriot: The Truth is on Your Side! :yourock: Clinton's Fight Against Terrorism; http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/18/60minutes/main624848.shtml
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EarlG ADMIN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:32 PM
Response to Original message
21. Best Clinton/terrorism link of all time...
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:35 PM
Response to Reply #21
24. I like this one better:
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:34 PM
Response to Original message
23. Don't Put The Blame On Clinton
READ THIS WHOLE ARTICLE..ITS IS GOOD!


http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A45352-2003Feb21?language=printer


washingtonpost.com

Don't Put The Blame On Clinton

By Steve Ricchetti

Saturday, February 22, 2003; Page A25

SNIP:

Every president inherits a world full of problems. From the first President Bush, Clinton inherited a brewing genocide in the Balkans, growing tension in the Middle East, a standoff in Northern Ireland, unrest in Haiti, an unstable situation in Russia, a healthy and dangerous Saddam Hussein in Iraq, and an emerging terrorist threat. It's not former president Bush's fault that these crises carried over, and Clinton certainly didn't spend the next two years blaming his predecessor for them. America and the world were better prepared and able to meet each of these challenges at the end of the Clinton administration than at the beginning.

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havocmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:40 PM
Response to Original message
26. Need a couple more Recommendments (at least) for this, folks.
We will need this info handy to refute any misrepresentations on ABC and to let the hot air outta any freepers foolish enough to gloat.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:16 PM
Response to Reply #26
41. Republicans Watered Down 1996 Clinton
SORRY IF ANY REPEATS..I AM JUST GOING DOWN THROUGH MY FILES AND POSTING...I HAVE LOTS IN MY FILES!!


http://www.angelfire.com/rant/sstewert/News/clintonbill.html

Republicans Watered Down 1996 Clinton
Anti-Terrorism Bill, Thanks to Lott & Hatch



10-16-01, Since all the republicans want to blame clinton for all the worlds problems these articles should open some eyes. I wonder why the mainstream media or O'Reilly or Rush or FOX news never mention these facts when they blame Clinton for everything ?

7-30-1996, WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton urged Congress Tuesday to act swiftly in developing anti-terrorism legislation before its August recess.

"We need to keep this country together right now. We need to focus on this terrorism issue," Clinton said during a White House news conference.

But while the president pushed for quick legislation, Republican lawmakers hardened their stance against some of the proposed anti-terrorism measures.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, doubted that the Senate would rush to action before they recess this weekend. The Senate needs to study all the options, he said, and trying to get it done in the next three days would be tough.

One key GOP senator was more critical, calling a proposed study of chemical markers in explosives "a phony issue."

Taggants value disputed

Clinton said he knew there was Republican opposition to his proposal on explosive taggants, but it should not be allowed to block the provisions on which both parties agree.

"What I urge them to do is to be explicit about their disagreement, but don't let it overcome the areas of agreement," he said.

The president emphasized coming to terms on specific areas of disagreement would help move the legislation along. The president stressed it's important to get the legislation out before the weekend's recess, especially following the bombing of Centennial Olympic Park and the crash of TWA Flight 800.

"The most important thing right now is that they get the best, strongest bill they can out -- that they give us as much help as they can," he said.

Hatch blasts 'phony' issues

Republican leaders earlier met with White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta for about an hour in response to the president's call for "the very best ideas" for fighting terrorism.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emerged from the meeting and said, "These are very controversial provisions that the White House wants. Some they're not going to get."

Hatch called Clinton's proposed study of taggants -- chemical markers in explosives that could help track terrorists -- "a phony issue."

"If they want to, they can study the thing" already, Hatch asserted. He also said he had some problems with the president's proposals to expand wiretapping.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, said it is a mistake if Congress leaves town without addressing anti-terrorism legislation. Daschle is expected to hold a special meeting on the matter Wednesday with Congressional leaders.

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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:19 PM
Response to Reply #41
42. The White House's Position on Terrorism (CLINTON)
http://nsi.org/Library/Terrorism/policy.html

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
FACT SHEET - Counter-Terrorism
The White House's Position on Terrorism


"To all my fellow Americans ... I say, one thing we owe those who have sacrificed is the duty to purge ourselves of the dark forces which gave rise to this evil. They are forces that threaten our common peace, our freedom, our way of life."

President Bill Clinton
State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma April 23, 1995

ISSUE:

Terrorism threatens the security of Americans and our friends at home and the world over.

ADMINISTRATION POSITION:

Counter-terrorism is a top priority for the Clinton Administration as it has sought aggressively to track down and punish terrorists worldwide and to fight international crime to the fullest extent of the law.

Criminal organizations increasingly operate across national boundaries with drug money and counterfeit currency funding their operations. President Clinton has ordered a number of actions to meet these growing threats including pressing for congressional legislation to increase our ability to fight terrorism and leading the Summit of the Peacemakers in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt in March l996.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Fighting Terrorism directed against Americans:

Dogged and effective Justice Department, international, national and local law enforcement attention culminating in swift arrests following major terrorist incidents in Oklahoma City and at the World Trade Center in New York City. Broke up major terrorist attacks in New York City before they could be carried out at the United Nations and in the Holland Tunnel; and against U.S. commercial aircraft in the Pacific. Developed emergency rapid-response plan to deal with chemical and biological terrorism.

Fighting Terrorism against our Friends Abroad:

Following the tragic assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and terrorist bombings in Israel, President Clinton called for and co-chaired historic Summit of the Peacemakers in Egypt in March, l996, a gathering of 29 regional and world leaders to design and support new counter-terrorism initiatives and to further the Mid East Peace Process.

Requested one hundred million dollars be provided by the United States to Israel for counter-terrorism equipment and training as well as emergency shipments of bomb detection equipment. Followed up the anti-terrorism Summit with a gathering of international counter-terrorism experts in Washington to pursue better cooperation and strengthened capabilities for controlling borders, stopping terrorist fundraising, and eliminating safe havens for terrorists through stronger laws and enforcement.

Directed that new legislation include funds to provide increased U.S. training to help friendly governments fight terrorism around the globe.

Extended economic sanctions against Iran and Sudan and held tight sanctions against Libya and Iraq for their support and sponsorship of terrorism.

Legislative Response to Terrorism:

Over one year ago President Clinton asked Congress for legislation to strengthen our ability to combat international terrorism. On April 24th the President signed S. 735, the ?Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996? into law. Congress included many of the Administration's proposals in their bill, giving our law enforcement officials tough new tools to stop terrorists before they strike, and to bring them to justice if they do. The legislation bans fundraising in the United States that supports terrorist organizations. It also allows U.S. officials to deport terrorists from American soil without being compelled by the terrorists to divulge classified information, and to bar terrorists from entering the United States in the first place.

Nevertheless, as strong as the bill was, it should have been stronger. For example, President Clinton asked the Congress to give U.S. law enforcement increased wiretap authority in terrorism cases. But the Congress refused. After the President proposed that the Secretary of the Treasury consider the inclusion of taggants in explosive materials, so that bombs can be traced more easily to the bomb makers, the Congress exempted black and smokeless powder -- two of the most commonly used substances in improvised explosive devices.

We hope that there will be an opportunity to revisit these and other issues, as well as some of the other proposals this Administration has made, but upon which the Congress refused to act. Repeatedly pressing for the U.S. Senate to outlaw poison gas once and for all by ratifying the Chemical Weapons Convention. Similarly, in October 1995 at The United Nations General Assembly urged other nations to ratify as well.

Holding Terrorists Accountable:

Ordered bombing of Iraqi military intelligence facility in wake of report that Iraqi terrorist attack was attempted against former President George Bush.

Arrested and brought back to stand trial in the United States, terrorists hiding in Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Jordan and Egypt.


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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:23 PM
Response to Reply #42
43. Clinton Administration Announces Outline of Counter
http://www.cdt.org/publications/pp100427.html

A briefing on public policy issues affecting civil liberties online
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CDT POLICY POST 4/27/95 Number 10

CONTENTS: (1) Clinton Administration Announces Counter Terrorism Plan
(2) Outline of Clinton Administration Proposal
(3) Communications Decency Act Update
(4) About the Center for Democracy and Technology

This document may be re-distributed freely provided it remains in its
entirety.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUBJECT: Clinton Administration Announces Outline of Counter
Terrorism Initiative.

The Clinton Administration today unveiled an outline of administration
proposals to combat foreign and domestic terrorism in the wake of the
Oklahoma City bombing. The outline is attached below.

These proposals on their face raise obvious civil liberties concerns,
including government interference with privacy, free speech, free
association and Forth Amendment rights. CDT is waiting for the
Administration to elaborate and provide concrete legislative proposals
so that we can assess the full civil liberties ramifications.

This document is merely an outline, not specific legislation
or executive order. The administration is expected to produce a more formal
proposal in the coming weeks. These proposals are likely to supplement
the Omnibus Counter-Terrorism Act of 1995 (S. 390, HR 896), which is
currently pending before Congress.

CDT believes that there must be substantial open, public discussion of
these proposals and thier potential implications before any action is
taken.

We have set up the following URL's to provide information on the
counter-terrorism issue. Updates will be made as soon as more information
becomes available.

World-Wide-Web:

http://www.cdt.org/policy/terrorism/

ftp:

ftp://ftp.cdt.org/pub/cdt/policy/terrorism/


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clinton Administration Counter Terrorism Initiative

I. Actions Already Announced by the President

(1) Pass the Omnibus Counter-Terrorism Act of 1995

This bill would provide clear Federal criminal jurisdiction for
any international terrorist attack that might occur in the United States;
provide Federal criminal jurisdiction over terrorists who use the United
States as the place from which to plan terrorist attacks overseas; provide
a workable mechanism, utilizing United States District Judges appointed by
the Chief Justice, to deport expeditiously alien terrorists without risking
the disclosure of national security information or techniques; provide a new
mechanism for preventing fundraising in the United States that supports
international terrorist activities overseas; and would implement an
international treaty requiring the insertion of a chemical agent into
plastic explosives when manufactured to make them detectable.

(2) Provide more tools to federal law enforcement agencies
fighting terrorism

* AMEND THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT TO EASE ACCESS TO FINANCIAL AND
CREDIT REPORTS IN ANTI-TERRORISM CASES. This legislation provides for
disclosures by consumer reporting agencies to the FBI for
counterintelligence and counterterrorism purposes. The FBI has no
mechanism for obtaining credit reports for lead purposes in
counterterrorism cases. These reports are available to used car
dealers and other merchants. The FBI currently has authority under the
Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 to obtain similar records
pursuant to a "National Security Letter" signed by a high-ranking FBI
official. the same procedures and safeguards would apply to credit
records under this proposal.

* AMEND FEDERAL LAW TO ADOPT, IN NATIONAL SECURITY CASES THE STANDARD
CURRENTLY USED IN OBTAINING A "PEN REGISTER" IN A ROUTINE CRIMINAL
CASE. This proposal would extend the relaxed standard for obtaining
"pen registers" and "trap and trace" device orders which already
exists in routine criminal cases, to national security cases. A "pen
register" is a device which records the number dialed on a telephone.
A "trap and trace" devices is similar to "Caller ID," providing law
enforcement with the telephone number from which a call originates.
Neither "pen registers" nor "trap and trace" devices permit law
enforcement to monitor actual conversations being conducted. the
current, higher-than-regular standard impedes the ability of the FBI
to obtain surveillance coverage of terrorists and spies.

* PASS LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE HOTEL/MOTEL AND COMMON CARRIERS TO PROVIDE
RECORDS NECESSARY FOR FIGHTING TERRORISM. This proposal would require
hotel/motel and common carriers such as airlines and bus companies to
provide records to the FBI pursuant to authorized national security
requests just as they must do now for virtually all state and local
law enforcement. The FBI must now rely on the voluntary assistance of
motel, hotel, and other innkeepers or common carriers regarding
records of terrorists who may have stayed at the establishment or used
the common carrier. The FBI has found that, while some of these
entities voluntarily provide such information, an increasing number
refuse, absent a court order, a subpoena, or other legal protection.
In a counterterrorism case being conducted pursuant to the Attorney
General's guidelines for FBI Foreign Intelligence Collection and
Foreign Counterintelligence Investigations, there is no legal
mechanism, e.g. subpoena, available to obtain these records.

* FULLY FUND THE FBI'S "DIGITAL TELEPHONY" INITIATIVE TO ASSURE COURT
AUTHORIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCESS FOR ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE TO
DIGITIZED COMMUNICATIONS. This proposal would appropriate funds to
implement recent amendments to statutes governing secure telephone
transmission (digital telephony). These amendments require telephone
carriers to install and maintain sophisticated equipment which would
permit law enforcement to continue to conduct legal electronic
surveillance.

* CREATE AND ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR A SPECIAL FBI COUNTERTERRORIST AND
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE FUND. This proposal will fund costs associated
cases which arise in connection with terrorism crises, including
logistics and other support.

* Create an interagency Domestic Counterterrorism Center headed by the
FBI. This proposal will establish a partnership effort between the
Justice Department, including the FBI, and other federal and state law
enforcement authorities to coordinate efforts within the United
States.

(3) CONDUCT TERRORISM THREAT ASSESSMENT OF EVERY FEDERAL FACILITY
IN THE COUNTRY WITHIN THE NEXT 60 DAYS. The President has
directed the Attorney General to conduct this assessment and report her
recommendations in 60 days. The assessment has already begun.

(4) DIRECT GSA TO REPLACE THE FEDERAL BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

(5) DIRECT THE FBI DIRECTOR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND THE
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO PREPARE A PRESIDENTIAL DECISION DIRECTIVE
AUTHORIZING ANY AND ALL FURTHER STEPS NECESSARY TO COMBAT FOREIGN AND
DOMESTIC TERRORISM.

II. New Legislative Proposals

(1) INVESTIGATIONS

* HIRE APPROXIMATELY 1000 NEW AGENTS, PROSECUTORS, AND OTHER FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL TO INVESTIGATE, DETER, AND PROSECUTE
TERRORIST ACTIVITY.

* PASS LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE, WITHIN 1 YEAR, THE INCLUSION OF TAGGANTS
IN STANDARD EXPLOSIVE DEVICE RAW MATERIALS WHICH WILL PERMIT TRACING
OF THE MATERIALS POST-EXPLOSION. This proposal would require the
inclusion of microscopic particles in certain raw materials, thereby
permitting law enforcement to trace the source of the explosive even
after a device has been detonated.

* REQUIRE THE BATF TO STUDY AND REPORT ON 1) THE TAGGING OF EXPLOSIVE
MATERIALS FOR PURPOSES OF IDENTIFICATION AND DETECTION; 2) WHETHER
COMMON CHEMICALS USED TO MANUFACTURE EXPLOSIVES CAN BE RENDERED INERT
FOR USE IN EXPLOSIVES; AND 3) WHETHER CONTROLS CAN BE IMPOSED ON
CERTAIN PRECURSOR CHEMICALS USED TO MANUFACTURE EXPLOSIVES. In light
of recent bombing incidents, there is a need to develop technologies
that will make it possible to detect concealed explosives.
Additionally, if bombings do take place, a means of providing some
clues is needed to lead investigators to those responsible for the
explosion. Moreover, since explosives can be manufactured using common
agricultural and household materials, it is important to determine
whether such materials can be manufactured in a manner so that their
use in explosives is unlikely. Finally, the study would determine
whether any reasonable controls can be placed on precursor chemicals,
e.g., ammonium nitrate, which have many legitimate uses.

* AMEND THE POSSE COMITATUS ACT TO PERMIT MILITARY PARTICIPATION IN
CRIME-FIGHTING INVOLVING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. This proposal
would amend Federal Laws, which severely limit the role of the
military in domestic law enforcement, to permit military participation
in criminal cases involving chemical, biological, and other weapons of
mass destruction; areas in which the military has specialized
expertise.

* AMEND THE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS PRIVACY ACT OF 1868 TO
CONSTITUTIONALLY ENHANCE USE OF ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE TO FIGHT
TERRORISM. This proposal would: permit any federal felony to be used
as a basis for an electronic surveillance order; ease restrictions on
the use, in American court proceedings, of information from electronic
surveillance conducted by foreign governments; forbid suppression of
electronic evidence unless law enforcement acted in bad faith in
obtaining the evidence; authorize emergency electronic surveillance in
situations involving threats by domestic terrorist organizations,
authorize roving wiretaps where it is not practical to specify the
number of the phone to be tapped, such as where a target uses multiple
pay phones; allow the FBI to obtain records of local telephone calls,
without the need for a court order, as they can own obtain records of
long-diastase calls; and require telephone companies and/or service
providers to preserve evidence until a court order could be obtained.
None of these changes would alter the requirement for probable cause
prior to engaging in electronic surveillance.

(2) PROSECUTION

* AMEND FEDERAL LAW TO CRIMINALIZE THE USE OF ALL CHEMICAL WEAPONS TO
INCLUDE ALL FORMS OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS. This bill would amend federal
law to include chemical weapons in non-gaseous form. Under existing
law, chemical weapons in gaseous form are covered, but those which are
in liquid or solid form are not. Thus, for example, an individual who
introduces dioxin in solid form into the water supply of a city would
not be chargeable under current law.

* MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO POSSESS EXPLOSIVES KNOWING THAT THEY ARE STOLEN.
This proposal would conform explosive laws to existing firearms
statutes, making it a crime for an individual to possess explosives
which the individual knows are stolen.

* EXTEND THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON THE NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT TO FIVE
(5) YEARS. This proposal would extend from three (3) to five (5) years
the statute of limitations for prosecution for violations of the
National Firearms Act, which deals with explosive and incendiary
bombs. This change brings the statue of limitations for these offenses
in line with similar criminal provisions.

* PROVIDE THE SECRETARY OF TREASURY AUTHORITY TO DIRECT THE USE OF
TREASURY DEPARTMENT AIRCRAFT TO SUPPORT EMERGENCY LAW ENFORCEMENT
SITUATIONS. This proposal would authorize the Secretary of Treasury to
authorize the use of Treasury Department aircraft in support of
emergency law enforcement crises.

* AMEND REWARD STATUTES TO REDUCE RESTRICTIONS ON MAKING REWARDS. This
proposal would provide the Attorney General authority to pay a reward
which is not subject to the spending limitations contained in 18 USC
?? 3059 and 3072, provided that any reward of $100,000 or more may not
be made without the approval of the President of the Attorney General,
and such approval may not be delegated.

(3) PENALTIES

* INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR ANYONE CONVICTED OF TRANSFERRING A FIREARM OR
EXPLOSIVE KNOWING THAT IT WILL BE SUE DOT COMMIT A CRIME OF VIOLENCE
OR DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIME. This proposal will provide a mandatory
penalty of not less than 10 years for any person who transfers a
firearm knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that a firearm
will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug-trafficking crime.

* AMEND 18 USC ? 111 TO PROVIDE ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR ALL CURRENT AND
FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AGAINST TERRORIST ATTACKS. The existing
statute only protects enumerated categories of current Federal
employees. The proposed statute would provide enhanced penalties for
crimes against all current and former Federal employees, and their
immediate families, when the crime is committed because of the
official duties of the federal employee.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: Communications Decency Act Senate Vote Expected by June

The Senate is expected to consider telecommunications reform legislation
(S. 652), which includes the Exon/Gorton Communications Decency Act
(Title IV), sometime towards the end of May or begining of June. The
vote had been expected to occur in the first week of May, but other issues,
including counter-terrorism legislation, are likely to delay Senate action.

Senator Patrick Leahy's (D-VT) alternative proposal (S. 714) is gaining
support among key members of congress and industry. CDT is working with
Senator Leahy, the public interest community, and representatives of the
communicaitons, computer, online services, and publishing industries to
generate support for Senator Leahy's proposal.

Action on the House version of the CDA (HR 1004) is not expected to occur
any time soon as its sponsor, Rep. Tim Johnson (D-SD) has recently backed
away from the proposal. In a letter to Rep. Jack Fields (R-TX and Chair of
the Hse. Telecomm. Subcommitte), circulated by CDT, Rep. Johnson urged the
Committee to hold hearings and consider alternatives to protect children
from controversial content instead of rushing to enact the CDA.

CDT has set up the following auto-reply aliases to keep you informed on the
Communications Decency Act issue.

For information on the bill, including
CDT's analysis and the text of Senator
Leahy's alternative proposal and
information on what you can do to
help -- cda-info@cdt.org

For the current status of the bill,
including scheduled House and
Senate action (updated as events
warrant) -- cda-stat@cdt.org


---------------------------------------------------------------------

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY AND TECHNOLOGY

The Center for Democracy and Technology is a non-profit public interest
organization. The Center's mission is to develop and advocate public
policies that advance constitutional civil liberties and democratic
values in new computer and communications technologies.

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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:47 PM
Response to Original message
28. The Covert Hunt for bin Laden
REALIZE THIS...

SNIP:

The administration never made good on it. Put baldly, several principal advisers said recently, the political and diplomatic market would not bear such a war.

"Until September 11th," said Karl F. Inderfurth, who was assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs, "there was certainly not any groundswell of support to mount a major attack on the Taliban. This is just a reality."




http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A62725-2001Dec18

The Covert Hunt for bin Laden
Broad Effort Launched After '98 Attacks

By Barton Gellman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 19, 2001; Page A01

SNIP:

The Clinton administration ordered the Navy to maintain two Los Angeles-class attack submarines on permanent station in the nearest available waters, enabling the U.S. military to place Tomahawk cruise missiles on any target in Afghanistan within about six hours of receiving the order.

• Three times after Aug. 20, 1998, when Clinton ordered the only missile strike of his presidency against bin Laden's organization, the CIA came close enough to pinpointing bin Laden that Clinton authorized final preparations to launch. In each case, doubts about the intelligence aborted the mission.

• The CIA's directorate of operations recruited, trained, paid or equipped surrogate forces in Pakistan, Uzbekistan and among tribal militias inside Afghanistan, with the common purpose of capturing or killing bin Laden. The Pakistani channel, disclosed previously in The Washington Post, and its Uzbek counterpart, which has not been reported before, never bore fruit. Inside Afghanistan, tribal allies twice reported to their CIA handlers that they fought skirmishes with bin Laden's forces, but they inflicted no verified damage.

• Operatives of the CIA's Special Activities Division made at least one clandestine entry into Afghanistan in 1999. They prepared a desert airstrip to extract bin Laden, if captured, or to evacuate U.S. tribal allies, if cornered. The Special Collection Service, a joint project of the CIA and the National Security Agency, also slipped into Afghanistan to place listening devices within range of al Qaeda's tactical radios.

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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:55 PM
Response to Original message
31. Clinton seeks $1 billion to fight terrorism September 9, 1996
http://www.cnn.com/US/9609/09/clinton.aviation/index.html

Clinton seeks $1 billion to fight terrorism


September 9, 1996
Web posted at: 1:00 p.m. EDT

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton accepted recommendations from a White House commission on aviation safety Monday and called on Congress to provide $1 billion dollars to fund new anti-terrorism measures before it adjourns in October. (20 sec./430K AIFF or WAV sound)

"Terrorists don't wait, and neither should we," the president said during a ceremony in the Oval Office. The report was prepared by the Commission on Aviation Safety and Security chaired by Vice President Al Gore
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 04:59 PM
Response to Reply #31
33. CLINTON URGES ANTI-TERRORISM ACTION
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/election/august96/clintonspeech_8-6.html

CLINTON URGES ANTI-TERRORISM ACTION

August 6, 1996


President Clinton, in a speech in Washington at Geoge Washingon University, decries Congress' response to his anti-terrorism proposals, urging passage of laws that would increase wiretapping and allow explosives taggants.

The second part of our strategy is to give American law enforcement officials the most powerful tools available to fight terrorism without undermining our civil liberties.

In the wake of Oklahoma City, I strengthened a terrorism bill I had previously sent to Congress but which had not then been passed. Despite the vow of Congress to act quickly, it took a year before that bill came to my desk to be signed. The bill had some very good points. It made terrorism a federal offense, expanded the role of the FBI, imposed the death penalty for terrorism. As strong as it was, however, it did not give our law enforcement officials other tools they needed and that they had asked for, including increased wire tap authority for terrorists to parallel that which we have for people involved in organized crime now, and chemical markers for the most common explosives so that we can more easily track down bomb makers.

After the bombing in Atlanta, Congress said it would reconsider these and other measures. I immediately called the congressional leadership to the White House and urged them to put together a package and vote it into law before they left for the August recess last Friday. I am disappointed and more importantly, the American people are disappointed that that job was not done.

These additional measures would save lives. They would make us all more secure. When the Congress returns from the August recess, we will take them up again, and we must get the job done.

Finally, the third front of our struggle against terrorism is the airports and airplanes that bring us all closer together. Air travel remains the safest form of transportation, and our airlines have the best safety record and security record in business. But that's of small consolation when a single attack can take so many lives.


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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:01 PM
Response to Reply #33
34. Clinton signs airport security measures into law
http://www.cnn.com/US/9610/09/faa/index.html

Clinton signs airport security measures into law
October 9, 1996

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton on Wednesday signed into law the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 1996, which includes some of the wide-ranging security measures recommended by Vice President Al Gore's aviation security commission.

"(The bill) will improve the security of air travel," the president said at a signing ceremony in the Old Executive Office Building. "It will carry forward our fight against terrorism." (14 sec./160K AIFF or WAV sound)

The measure, combined with a budget bill signed last week, authorizes the installation of new bomb-detection scanners to examine both carry-on and checked baggage at major airports, pays for new FBI agents to be assigned to airport security, increases inspection of mail on board flights, and increases the use of bomb-sniffing dogs.


Gore's commission presented its report and recommendations on September 9. Clinton said Wednesday that the bill he was signing made almost all of those recommendations "the law of the land."

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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:02 PM
Response to Original message
35. Clinton's Letter to Congress on Freezing of bin Ladin Assets
http://www.ict.org.il/documents/documentdet.cfm?docid=22

August 22, 1998

Clinton's Letter to Congress on Freezing of bin Ladin Assets
Text of letter from President Clinton to the leaders of Congress explaining why he ordered the freezing of all assets controlled by or affiliated with terrorist chieftain Usama bin Ladin.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts)

Dear Mr. Speaker:

On January 23, 1995, in light of the threat posed by grave acts of violence committed by foreign terrorists that disrupt the Middle East peace process, using my authority under, inter alia, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), I declared a national emergency and issued Executive Order 12947. Because such terrorist activities continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, I have renewed the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12947 annually, most recently on January 21, 1998. Pursuant to section 204(b) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1703(b)) and section 201 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1631), I hereby report to the Congress that I have exercised my statutory authority to issue an Executive Order that amends Executive Order 12947 in order more effectively to respond to the worldwide threat posed by foreign terrorists.

The amendment to the Annex of Executive Order 12947 adds Usama bin Muhammad bin Awad bin Ladin (a.k.a. Usama bin Ladin), Islamic Army, Abu Hafs al-Masri, and Rifa'i Ahmad Taha Musa to the list of terrorists that are subject to the prohibitions contained in the Executive Order. These prohibitions include the blocking of all property and interests in the property of the terrorists listed in the Annex, the prohibition of any transaction or dealing by United States persons or within the United States in property or interests in property of the persons designated, and the prohibition of any transaction by any United States persons or within the United States that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, any of the prohibitions set forth in the Executive Order.

Usama bin Ladin and his organizations and associates have repeatedly called upon their supporters to perform acts of violence. Bin Ladin has declared that killing Americans and their allies "is an individual duty for every Muslim ... in order to liberate the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Holy Mosque." These threats are clearly intended to violently disrupt the Middle East peace process.

This Executive Order does not limit or otherwise affect the other provisions of Executive Order 12947.

I have authorized these actions in view of the danger posed to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States by the activities of Usama bin Muhammad bin Awad bin Ladin (a.k.a. Usama bin Ladin), Islamic Army, Abu Hafs al-Masri, and Rifa'i Ahmad Taha Musa that disrupt the Middle East peace process. I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order that I have issued exercising my emergency authorities.


Sincerely, WILLIAM J. CLINTON
Source: United States Information Service
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:05 PM
Response to Reply #35
36. 20 August, 1998 President Clinton's Speech on Terrorist Attacks
http://www.cnsnews.com/InDepth/archive/199808/IND19980820o.html

From Text of President's Speech
20 August, 1998

President Clinton's Speech on Terrorist Attacks

Good afternoon.

Today I ordered our armed forces to strike at terrorist-related facilities in Afghanistan and Sudan because of the imminent threat they presented to our national security.

I want to speak with you about the objective of this action and why it was necessary.

Our target was terror. Our mission was clear -- to strike at the network of radical groups affiliated with and funded by Osama bin Laden, perhaps the preeminent organizer and financier of international terrorism in the world today.

The groups associated with him come from diverse places, but share a hatred for democracy, a fanatical glorification of violence, and a horrible distortion of their religion to justify the murder of innocents.

They have made the United States their adversary precisely because of what we stand for and what we stand against.

A few months ago, and again this week, bin Laden publicly vowed to wage a terrorist war against America, saying -- and I quote -- ``We do not differentiate between those dressed in military uniforms and civilians. They are all targets.''

Their mission is murder. And their history is bloody.

In recent years, they killed American, Belgian and Pakistani peacekeepers in Somalia. They plotted to assassinate the president of Egypt and the Pope. They planned to bomb six United States 747s over the Pacific.

They bombed the Egyptian embassy in Pakistan. They gunned down German tourists in Egypt. The most recent terrorist events are fresh in our memory. Two weeks ago, 12 Americans and nearly 300 Kenyans and Tanzanians lost their lives. And another 5,000 were wounded when our embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam were bombed.

There is convincing information from our intelligence community that the bin Laden terrorist network was responsible for these bombings. Based on this information, we have high confidence that these bombings were planned, financed and carried out by the organization bin Laden leads.

America has battled terrorism for many years. Where possible, we've used law enforcement and diplomatic tools to wage the fight. The long arm of American law has reached out around the world and brought to trial those guilty of attacks in New York, in Virginia and in the Pacific.
We have quietly disrupted terrorist groups and foiled their plots. We have isolated countries that practice terrorism. We've worked to build an international coalition against terror. But there have been and will be times when law enforcement and diplomatic tools are simply not enough.
When our very national security is challenged and when we must take extraordinary steps to protect the safety of our citizens. With compelling evidence that the bin Laden network of terrorist groups was planning to mount further attacks against Americans and other freedom-loving people, I decided America must act.

And so this morning, based on the unanimous recommendation of my national security team, I ordered our armed forces to take action to counter an immediate threat from the bin Laden network.

Earlier today, the United States carried out simultaneous strikes against terrorist facilities and infrastructure in Afghanistan. Our forces targeted one of the most active terrorist bases in the world. It contained key elements of the bin Laden network's infrastructure and has served as a training camp for literally thousands of terrorists from around the globe.
We have reason to believe that a gathering of key terrorist leaders was to take place there today, thus underscoring the urgency of our actions.

Our forces also attacked a factory in Sudan associated with the bin Laden network. The factory was involved in the production of materials for chemical weapons.

The United States does not take this action lightly. Afghanistan and Sudan have been warned for years to stop harboring and supporting these terrorist groups.

But countries that persistently host terrorists have no right to be safe havens. Let me express my gratitude to our intelligence and law enforcement agencies for their hard, good work. And let me express my pride in our armed forces, who carried out this mission while making every possible effort to minimize the loss of innocent lives.

I want you to understand, I want the world to understand that our actions today were not aimed against Islam, the faith of hundreds of millions of good, peace-loving people all around the world, including the United States. No religion condones the murder of innocent men, women and children. But our actions were aimed at fanatics and killers who wrap murder in the cloak of righteousness, and in so doing, profane the great religion in whose name they claim to act.

My fellow Americans, our battle against terrorism did not begin with the bombing of our embassies in Africa, nor will it end with today's strike.

It will require strength, courage and endurance. We will not yield to this threat. We will meet it no matter how long it may take. This will be a long, ongoing struggle between freedom and fanaticism, between the rule of law and terrorism.

We must be prepared to do all that we can for as long as we must. America is and will remain a target of terrorists precisely because we are leaders; because we act to advance peace, democracy and basic human values; because we're the most open society on earth; and because, as we have shown yet again, we take an uncompromising stand against terrorism.

But of this, I am also sure. The risks from inaction to America and the world would be far greater than action. For that would embolden our enemies, leaving their ability and their willingness to strike us intact.

In this case, we knew before our attack that these groups already had planned further actions against us and others.

I want to reiterate the United States wants peace, not conflict. We want to lift lives around the world, not take them. We have worked for peace in Bosnia, in Northern Ireland, in Haiti, in the Middle East and elsewhere.

But in this day, no campaign for peace can succeed without a determination to fight terrorism. Let our actions today send this message loud and clear: There are no expendable American targets.

There will be no sanctuary for terrorists. We will defend our people, our interests and our values. We will help people of all faiths, in all parts of the world, who want to live free of fear and violence.

We will persist and we will prevail.

Thank you, God bless you and may God bless our country.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:08 PM
Response to Reply #36
38. U.S. Froze $254 Million In Taliban Cash in 1999
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A52702-2001Oct12

U.S. Froze $254 Million In Taliban Cash in 1999
State Dept. Opposes Using Assets for Terror Victims

By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, October 13, 2001; Page A16

Two years ago, President Bill Clinton signed an executive order freezing $254 million in Taliban assets in the United States, more than twice the amount linked to terrorist groups and seized worldwide since the Sept. 11 attacks.

U.S. officials will not disclose where the $254 million came from, except to say that it was under the control of the Taliban. But the large sum, contrasted with the very small amount of trade between the United States and Afghanistan, has raised questions about the source of the money.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:12 PM
Response to Reply #38
39. WHITE HOUSE COMMSSION ON AVIATION SAFETY AND SECURITY
http://www.dot.gov/affairs/whcexec.htm

WHITE HOUSE COMMSSION ON AVIATION SAFETY AND SECURITY
THE DOT STATUS REPORT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

One year ago, the White House Commission on Aviation Safety issued its final report. The Department of Transportation (DOT), the Departments of Defense, Justice, State, and Treasury, the National Transportation Safety Board, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and numerous other Federal agencies have made significant progress implementing the Commission’s recommendations. Together, with our partners in the aviation community, the federal government has worked to change the way we do business.

The federal government has established the Commission's proposed safety goal as our primary safety goal. We are committed to reduce the aviation fatal accident rate by a factor of five within 10 years (Recommendation 1.1). Both the DOT and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have adopted the goal in their new strategic plans, and incorporated means of measuring the progression of this goal in their performance agreements. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has set out a strategic goal of reducing the aviation fatal accident rate 80 percent by 2007. NASA has also set a longer-range goal of reducing the fatal accident rate by a factor of 10 within 20 years. FAA and NASA are tailoring their research and program plans to achieve these goals.

Aviation security has been established as a national security priority (Recommendation 3.1). The President has publicly recognized aviation as a major element of our strategy against terrorism, and the White House publication A National Security Strategy for a New Century includes aviation security as a critical element. The DOT Strategic Plan specifically recognizes aviation security as a key component in advancing the nation's vital security interests. The National Security Council has established a subgroup, headed by the DOT and including all agencies involved in aviation security, to address the White House Commission security recommendations specifically.

Over the past year, the following White House Commission recommendations have been completed.

The Department has instituted into its rulemaking practices a policy to ensure that costs alone are not dispositive in the rulemaking process (Recommendation 1.5). The new policy recognizes the importance of both tangible and intangible benefits of rules, the need for risk analysis and examination of potential mitigation measures, and the need to identify and act on high-risk potential accident causes before accidents occur.
The FAA is continuing to explore innovative means to accelerate the installation of advanced avionics in general aviation aircraft (Recommendation 2.3) as part of its Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiments (AGATE). The goal is to improve general aviation safety and improve access to the airspace system. FAA is revising two Advisory Circulars (AC) on certification, and a new RTCA task force is reviewing avionics certification processes. Flight 2000, FAA's program to demonstrate and validate new National Airspace System (NAS) capabilities, also will validate avionics, including low-cost weather data link systems for general aviation aircraft.
In September 1997, the National Civil Aviation Review Commission (NCARC) released its Recommendations on ways for the users of the National Airspace System (NAS) to fund its development and operation (Recommendation 2.5). A new FAA reauthorization proposal will address those recommendations.
The FAA identified and justified the frequency spectrum necessary for the transition to a modernized air traffic control system (Recommendation 2.6) and released its study in July 1997. The results will be incorporated into the next Federal Radionavigation Plan. FAA is continuing to address the sufficiency of the radio frequency spectrum to support the communication needs of the NAS.

The Department of Transportation issued on February 12, 1997, a final rule to improve passenger manifests (Recommendation 3.26) by requiring more information on passenger manifests for flights to or from the United States.

In June 1997 FAA submitted a proposed resolution, through the U.S. Representative, that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) begin a program to verify and improve compliance with international security standards (Recommendation 3.8). ICAO has not yet adopted the resolution, which the United States continues to support.

DOT strengthened its working relationship with the Departments of Defense, Energy, and other Federal agencies and local authorities to assess the possible use of chemical and biological weapons as tools of terrorism (Recommendation 3.9). Interagency activities are ongoing.

The Department of Defense (DOD) has established an interagency task force to assess the potential use of surface-to-air missiles against commercial aircraft (Recommendation 3.17.) DOD convened the task force and held its first meeting on May 12, 1997.

FAA has given properly cleared airline and airport security personnel access to needed classified information (Recommendation 3.23). Industry officials, with appropriate security clearances, are now routinely provided classified information regarding threats.

The FBI significantly increased the number of agents assigned to counter-terrorism investigations to improve intelligence and crisis response (Recommendation 3.27). Congress provided funding and FBI deployed 644 Special Agents, 620 support positions, and additional funding for investigations, intelligence gathering, forensic analysis, and crisis management.

The FAA has been a full partner with the Department of State in providing anti-terrorism assistance through airport security training to countries where there are airports served by airlines flying to the United States (Recommendation 3.28). The Department of State and FAA provide airport security training through the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Training Program (ATAP.)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) finalized a coordinated federal response plan to aviation disasters (Recommendation 4.1). The plan has been implemented in four aviation disasters, including the Korean Air 801 disaster in August 1997 at Guam.

The Department of Transportation and the NTSB have implemented key provisions of the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 (Recommendation 4.3.) The Secretary’s Task Force on the Assistance to Families of Aviation Disasters was appointed in March 1997. It issued its report, containing 61 recommendations, to Congress and the Vice President in October 1997. The government and industry are implementing many of the Task Force's recommendations.
Beyond the fully completed recommendations, DOT, FAA, and other agencies have made substantial progress toward implementing virtually all the remaining recommendations. Highlights include:

The new passenger screening system, Computer Assisted Passenger Screening (CAPS), was prototyped, tested with Northwest Airlines in 1997, and is being phased in by U.S. airlines in 1998. FAA tested passenger bag matching in 1997 and, on January 1, 1998, augmented the bag-matching program in conjunction with both manual screening and CAPS. After a thorough review, the Department of Justice concluded that the screening system did not violate the civil rights of any individuals.

FAA hired 375 new safety inspectors and created a group to provide analytical support to field offices and target inspector oversight where it is most needed.

Some 79 certified explosives detection systems and advanced technologies for screening of checked bags were purchased in 1997. Deployment will be completed in 1998. In addition, over 50 trace explosives detection devices were deployed in 1997, bringing the total in place from 78 to 128. About 365 more trace detection devices will be purchased and installed by the end of 1998.

NASA has reprogrammed $500 million to invest in safety research over the next five years. They have identified a lead research center for safety research and established a program management staff throughout NASA Centers.
The FAA and NASA are working as partners to develop a research plan to achieve the national aviation safety goal of an 80 percent reduction in aviation fatal accidents in 10 years. Both agencies will work with industry to create and install new safety technology as quickly as possible. This work will assist FAA in implementing many of the safety recommendations.
Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (NPRM) have been drafted or issued on Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems in aircraft; improved standards for certification of foreign aircraft repair stations worldwide; amended criteria for certification of explosives detection systems to include detonators; computer assisted passenger screening; and expanded applicability of rules concerning criminal background checks and FBI fingerprint checks to all screeners and their supervisors. An Advanced NPRM was published on the certification of security screening companies.

The FAA and NASA have developed a human factors plan to address the implementation of items included in three key reports: The National Human Factors Plan; the 1997 Aviation Safety Plan; and a report on flight deck human factors. In addition, FAA coordinated an FAA/NASA/DOD Aviation Safety Program, strengthened collaborative safety research efforts, identified new safety research requirements, and are executing a research plan for a flight deck automation study.

The FAA and the National Academy of Sciences signed an agreement to create a panel for the Assessment of Technologies for Aviation Security.

Cooperative research agreements and partnerships have been established to develop new security technology.

The DOT is continuing its efforts to ensure the accuracy, availability, and reliability of the Global Positioning System (GPS) as part of a worldwide Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). This includes measures to provide secure uninterrupted civilian access to the GPS carrier; work with the Department of Defense on a plan for a second GPS frequency; and work with international organizations on how to detect and protect GNSS from potential interference. The DOT and the Departments of State and Commerce are encouraging worldwide use of GPS in international forums. FAA has agreements with 14 nations that ensure the use of U.S. GPS standards around the world.

The Administration is supporting legislation introduced in Congress to ensure equitable treatment for families of passengers involved in international aviation disasters. It is also is supporting legislation to amend the Death on the High Seas Act which would enable the family members of those killed in international aviation disasters to obtain fair compensation.
This report summarizes accomplishments toward achieving the 57 recommendations in the White House Commission report and discusses some of the issues that will affect implementation in the future. The federal government and its partners in the aviation community are fully committed to continuing implementation in the years ahead.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:14 PM
Response to Original message
40. THE PRESIDENT'S COUNTERTERRORISM PROPOSAL
http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/WH_fact_sheet_10_96.html

WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET ON COUNTER-TERRORISM MEASURES
(Source: U.S. Information Agency)
Washington -- The counter-terrorism measures signed into law by President Clinton October 9 constitute a broad-based strategy ranging from increased security at federal buildings to tighter scrutiny of aircraft cargo.

The $1,097 million authorized includes money to relocate U.S. forces stationed in Saudi Arabia, where car bombs killed 24 in two incidents, and up-graded security provisions like concrete barriers and intrusion detection devices at posts elsewhere in the world.

The money will provide more resources for U.S. attorneys and federal judges to handle criminal cases arising from terrorism, and will increase security at FBI headquarters and other federal buildings.

A compilation by the White House details other counter-terror steps now approved by law.

Following is the text of the Fact Sheet from the White House:

THE PRESIDENT'S COUNTERTERRORISM PROPOSAL
TOTAL: $1.097 BILLION (Gore Commission, $429.4 Million)


SCREEN CHECKED BAGGAGE: $91.1 MILLION (APPROVED)

Purchase and install 54 CTX-5000SP FAA-certified explosive detection systems for screening checked baggage at U.S. airports. These screeners use computed tomography technology to automatically identify threat objects in checked baggage. Purchase 79 trace detectors to help resolve alarms identified by the CTX systems. Purchase and install 20 dual energy x-ray machines, and five Quadropole Resonance machines to help detect explosives. (Federal Aviation Administration)

SCREEN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE: $37.8 MILLION (APPROVED)

Purchase 410 trace detectors for screening electronics and other carry-on items. These machines take a sample from the surface of a laptop computer, cellular telephone or other item and can detect minute traces (parts per billion) of explosive materials. (Federal Aviation Administration)

CANINE TEAMS: $8.9 MILLION (APPROVED)

Fund 114 canine teams at U.S. airports. These dog and trainer teams will be used for tasks that include inspection of suspicious baggage, cargo, as well as aircraft and parked vehicles located on airport grounds. (Federal Aviation Administration)

AUGMENT FAA SECURITY RESEARCH: $20 MILLION (APPROVED)

Increase by more than 50 percent FAA's Security Research budget. This increase will speed the introduction of new technologies for explosive detection, aircraft hardening, airport security technology integration, as well as aviation security human factors research. (Federal Aviation Administration)

SECURITY WORKFORCE: $18 MILLION (APPROVED)

Double the FAA security workforce over a three year period -- an increase of 600 positions. The $18 million requested would hire 100 additional security agents in 1997 and 200 in 1998. (Federal Aviation Administration)

VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS: $5.5 MILLION (APPROVED)

Conduct or update vulnerability assessments at the busiest U.S. airports. The results of these assessments would be used to develop an action plan to improve and maintain security at each airport. (Federal Aviation Administration)

PASSENGER PROFILING: $10 MILLION (APPROVED)

Augment airline reservation and check-in computer systems with passenger profiling capabilities. This system would use information already collected and stored in reservation systems and other existing databases to identify passengers on whom to concentrate additional security measures. (Federal Aviation Administration)

SCREENER TRAINING: $5.3 MILLION (APPROVED)

Install computer training and testing systems to improve the performance of baggage screening personnel. This system would randomly insert "ghost" images of various threat objects into x-ray images of checked and carry-on baggage to test screener alertness and proficiency. (Federal Aviation Administration)

SCREEN PASSENGERS (PORTALS) AND DOCUMENT SCANNERS: $1 MILLION (APPROVED)

Conduct operational testing of new applications of trace detection systems for screening documents (e.g., boarding passes, passports) and passengers. (Federal Aviation Administration)

ANTI-TERRORISM ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS: $2 MILLION (APPROVED AS EARMARK OF EXISTING FUNDS)

Provide increased funding for training and equipment to foreign countries to enhance the anti-terrorism skills and abilities of foreign law enforcement and security officials. (State Department)

DEPLOYING EXISTING TECHNOLOGY TO INSPECT INTERNATIONAL AIR CARGO: $31.4 MILLION (APPROVED, BUT NEED ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO MAXIMIZE EFFECTIVENESS)

Deploy x-ray and other existing explosives detection technologies for joint Customs and airline use to inspect outbound international air cargo for explosives and other dangerous weapons that may jeopardize the safety of air passengers. Customs would enter into cooperative agreements with airlines and air cargo authorities for the use of such equipment. (Customs Service)

PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AIR/COUNTERTERRORISM SECURITY: $26.6 MILLION (APPROVED, BUT NEED ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO MAXIMIZE EFFECTIVENESS)

Provide Customs with the legal authority and resources to effectively target and screen international air passengers and cargo by requiring the submission of advance cargo and passenger manifest information. Provide Customs with the legal authority and resources to screen outgoing international mail being loaded on U.S. flights for explosives and other dangerous weapons. Customs will also hire 140 additional inspectors and agents to inspect outbound international air travelers, international mail, international air cargo, and to work cooperatively with the FBI on counterterrorism investigations. (Customs Service)

TAGGANTS STUDY: $21.3 MILLION (APPROVED)

Conduct a comprehensive study of taggants used in explosives (as opposed to the interim report that congressional funding would allow). The study also will examine black and smokeless powder. Specifically, the study will discuss:

-- the feasibility of imposing controls on certain precursor chemicals used to make explosives;

-- the feasibility of making common chemicals used to manufacture explosives inert (and development of proposed regulations); and

-- the feasibility of tagging explosive materials for purposes of detection and identification;

Also, conduct studies of:

-- state licensing requirements for purchase and use of commercial high explosives; and

-- armor-piercing ammunition.

(Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

EXPLOSIVES DETECTION TRAINING: $1.8 MILLION (APPROVED)

Develop and produce instruction and training materials on recognition and detection of explosives and improvised explosive devices. This funding will allow the staffing and presentation of two to three courses in FY 1997. Training will he presented to federal, state, and local law enforcement, and FAA and airline industry personnel. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

CAPACITY TO COLLECT AND ASSEMBLE EXPLOSIVES DATA: $2.1 MILLION (APPROVED)

Enhance the Explosive Incident System to include a digital library of previously encountered devices. This library will include descriptions of the material contained within the devices. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

INCREASED STAFFING: $91.7 MILLION (MOSTLY APPROVED)

This component increases FBI's staffing. The funding will allow the FBI to: establish an infrastructure/Key Asset program to identify Key Assets in our nation's infrastructure which, if damaged or sabotaged, could cause systemic problems through communities, cities, or the nation; enhance capability for investigations of domestic groups, such as militias, and right-wing groups such as the Aryan Nations; enhance capabilities for investigations relative to chemical/biological/nuclear (CBN) matters; address additional hiring and procurement services related to resources provided through the 1997 Amendment; improve Counterterrorism operational support; and fund FBI-sponsored joint terrorism task forces. This would increase FBI's capability by 100 percent by providing significant additional resources to FBI's anti-terrorism efforts. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

IMPROVE DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE: $38.9 MILLION (MOSTLY APPROVED)

Create additional positions (including agents) to support: a Computer Investigations Threat Assessment Center (CITAC) to identify, investigate, and counter illegal electronic intrusion into government computer networks; a database to maintain and organize information relating to key physical assets; two Field Translation Centers staffed with 50 contract translators; and 210 field INTELINK workstations. The increased domestic intelligence capability is necessary to deal with heightened threat to American assets and interests. This funding will also allow the FBI to replace NIGHTSTALKER, which is used for both daytime and nighttime overhead surveillance and response coordination. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

IMPROVE FORENSIC/CRISIS MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES: $16 MILLION (MOSTLY APPROVED)

Create additional positions (including agents) and fund: the development of a hazardous materials/chemical/biological/nuclear (CBN) capability within the FBI laboratory to research better methods for response to CBN activities, the purchase of Hazardous Response Team CBN clothing and equipment, and provide for the operations of the Critical Incident Response Group. The enhanced forensic capability will enable the FBI to deal with today's more sophisticated terrorism threat. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)



(OTHER COUNTER-TERRORISM PROPOSALS, $667.4 MILLION) FACILITIES: $436.9 MILLION

PERSIAN GULF FORCE PROTECTION: $122.6 MILLION (APPROVED)

Relocate troops to more secure areas, buy and install fences, berms, Jersey barriers, intrusion detection devices, and other force protection items; and expand intelligence gathering, analysis and dissemination capability. (Defense Department)

Overseas Physical Security Upgrades: $138.5 Million (Approved)

Increase the physical protection for U.S. forces outside the Persian Gulf by hardening gates; installing fences, concrete barriers, and intrusion detection devices; and expanding the secure perimeter around many installations. The Department will also purchase body armor and upgrade armored vehicles to meet the new terrorist capabilities. (Defense Department)

UPGRADE OVERSEAS SECURITY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION: $9.4 MILLION (APPROVED, AS PART OF SECURITY OF U.S. MISSIONS, PG. 8)

Upgrade security and fund relocations for 42 non-chancery locations for the International Trade Administration's Foreign Commercial Service. Foreign Commercial Service officers promote U.S. trade worldwide and are located within international business districts that may be at risk for terrorism. (Commerce Department)

ENHANCE SECURITY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE LABORATORIES: $23 MILLION (APPROVED)

Enhance security at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Atlanta headquarters and better protect laboratories containing dangerous infectious agents against possible attacks by increasing the buffer zone around CDC's headquarters through the purchase of land and installation of security fences, improving emergency power arrangements, enhancing the screening of incoming mail, and tightening control over access to the buildings. (Department of Health and Human Services)

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR FACILITY SECURITY AND TRAINING: $15.9 MILLION (APPROVED)

Funds would provide for additional training of National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement personnel, as well as improved security-related equipment. Specific equipment include enhanced communications systems, magnetometers, x-ray machines (for building and facility security), improved perimeter fencing (at Bureau of Reclamation dams), as well as various other upgrades to minimize monuments and facilities vulnerabilities. Most of the proposed activities are in accordance with the recommendations in the Department of Justice Vulnerability Assessment of Federal Facilities conducted after the Oklahoma City bombing. (Interior Department)

COURTS OF APPEALS' DISTRICT COURTS, AND OTHER JUDICIAL SERVICES: $10 MILLION (APPROVED, $3.2 OF THE $10 MILLION IN CONTINGENCY FUNDING)

Enable the Judiciary to handle the additional workload envisioned in the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. Specifically, the funds would be used for representation, processing and collections related to victim restitution orders; costs associated with the hiring of additional United States Attorneys; and the provision of additional security at federal court houses. (Judiciary)

FBI: BUILDING SECURITY; $7 MILLION (APPROVED)

Provide a secure working environment for FBI employees by allowing the FBI to: purchase additional x-ray machines and magnetometers for security at various field offices; upgrade building security monitoring systems; increase contract guard services at field offices with inadequate security staffing; and hire security officers at the Washington Metropolitan Field Office. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS: $15.6 MILLION (APPROVED, $10.9 OF THE $15.6 MILLION)

Fund 30 new positions to handle terrorism-related cases and increased wiretap activity. The new funds will also be used to enhance building security at U.S. Attorneys' offices around the country and to ensure compatibility with the FBI's Computer Investigation Threat Assessment Center (CITAC) efforts. (Justice Department)

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (DEA); $7 MILLION (APPROVED, $5 MILLION OF THE $7 MILLION REQUESTED)

Prevent terrorist or drug trafficker retaliatory attacks by providing funds to help improve the physical security of DEA office buildings and vehicles. The funds will be used for DEA's Headquarters Office, as well as various domestic and foreign field offices, and will include six armored vehicles and residential security radios for residences. (Drug Enforcement Agency)

DIPLOMATIC SECURITY: $23.7 MILLION (APPROVED)

Fund additional guard protection at overseas office and residential facilities, armored vehicles to meet increased threat needs in the Persian Gulf and other high threat areas, security equipment overseas including closed circuit television cameras and alarms, increased training and awareness programs, enhanced capability for emergency security support, and additional explosive detection equipment. Security enhancements to protect American personnel are required to meet the heightened threat of terrorist activity. (State Department)

SECURITY OF U.S. MISSIONS: $14.3 MILLION (APPROVED, ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL SUMS FOR OTHER AGENCIES' OVERSEAS SECURITY PROPOSALS, TOTALING $22.9 MILLION)

Fund additional security upgrades at U.S. diplomatic facilities including the construction of walls or other barriers to improve perimeter security, anti-ram protection at facility entrances, relocation of staff from physically vulnerable space, installation of blast resistant windows, and other projects to harden facilities against terrorist threats. (State Department)

ATF: CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAMS FOR POST BLAST DEPLOYMENT: $7.2 MILLION (APPROVED)

Enable ATF to have forensic facilities available at bomb scenes to collect and analyze post-blast evidence. The funding would also allow the hiring of 11 additional personnel who would work at bomb scenes to provide post-blast expertise. Also, funding will be provided to allow the purchase of additional tactical and computer equipment needed to perform post-blast investigations. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

ATF: ADDITIONAL SECURITY FOR FEDERAL FACILITIES: $6.7 MILLION (APPROVED)

Provide funds for relocating ATF headquarters. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE (USSS): ADDITIONAL SECURITY EQUIPMENT: $1.1 MILLION (APPROVED)

Provide radiation detection equipment, additional security improvements at the Treasury building, rescue unit systems and intruder system upgrades. (United States Secret Service)

USSS: EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT RELATED TO AIRPLANE CRASH: $1.4 MILLION (APPROVED)

Replace equipment lost in the crash of the Air Force C-130 on August 17, 1996 in Wyoming. Much of this equipment is used to protect the President during his travels. (United States Secret Service)

CUSTOMS SERVICE: EXPLOSIVES AND RADIATION DETECTION EQUIPMENT: $2.2 MILLION (APPROVED)

Provide Customs with explosives/radiation detection equipment for use by inspectors at heavily trafficked gateway ports. This equipment will he used to assist inspectors by helping them detect explosive and radioactive materials smuggled in imported merchandise. (Customs Service)

OVERSEAS BUILDING SECURITY: $0.6 MILLION (APPROVED AS EARMARK OF EXISTING FUNDS)

Improve the security of overseas facilities and increase the protection of U.S. government employees by providing improved communications equipment in cases of emergency, additional guard protection at overseas facilities, a heavily armored vehicle, and driver training for emergency situations. (Agency for International Development)

PERSONNEL AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES: $3.3 MILLION (PARTIALLY FUNDED)

Enhance and acquire security equipment and guard services; develop and deliver training for employees; and provide terrorism-specific upgrades for Federal Regional Centers. (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

FIREFIGHTER/EMERGENCY SERVICES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: $2.7 MILLION (PARTIALLY FUNDED)

Enable FEMA to provide grants to state and local emergency responders for specialized training and equipment. (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

HEADQUARTERS BUILDING SECURITY: $0.2 MILLION (APPROVED)

Reduce the vulnerability of OPM's Headquarters building to entrance by unauthorized vehicles by installing pop-up vehicle barriers at building garage entrances. Purchase magnetometers to screen walk-in visitors to areas of the building open to the public (e.g., the Federal Job Information Center and the Retirement Information Center). (Office of Personnel Management)

PUBLIC BUILDING AND MUSEUM SECURITY: $7.3 MILLION (APPROVED)

Reduce vulnerability to terrorist threats by improving detection equipment, hiring additional security personnel, and conducting comprehensive threat assessment studies. (Smithsonian Institution and Museums)

FACILITY SECURITY: $2.5 MILLION (APPROVED)

Fund security improvements required to protect USIA personnel and facilities vulnerable to terrorist threats including emergency communication equipment, surveillance equipment, secure vehicles, alarms, additional guard services, and visitor screening areas. (United States Information Agency)

OTHER TREASURY DEPARTMENT: BUILDING SECURITY: $14.7 MILLION (APPROVED, EXCEPT $161K FOR BUREAU OF PUBLIC DEBT)

Provides funds for staffing and other costs related to enhanced Federal building security. These enhancements will be performed in accordance with the Department of Justice Vulnerability Assessment of Federal Facilities conducted after the Oklahoma City bombing. (Treasury Department)

Enforcement: $114 Million

EXPANDING THE BUREAU OF EXPORT ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO DETECT ILLEGAL EXPORTS: $3.9 MILLION (APPROVED)

Fund 22 criminal investigators for the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) to expand its export enforcement efforts. These criminal investigators will focus on preventing exporting commodities that could be used to develop and deliver weapons of mass destruction, including biological agents, nuclear weapons, and missile development. The funding will be used at BXA's headquarters and eight field offices. (Commerce Department)

IMPROVE TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT NUCLEAR SMUGGLING: $8 MILLION (DENIED, BUT RELATED ITEM FUNDED IN THE FY 1997 ENERGY/WATER APPROPRIATIONS BILL)

Expand DOE assistance in control of nuclear materials at U.S. Customs and border control points. Expand analytical and technical support by DOE's national laboratories to U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Speed the development of prototype equipment for "tagging" nuclear materials and for active methods to enhance detection and trace the source of trafficked material. (Energy Department)

FBI: CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE FACILITY: $2 MILLION (DENIED)

Fund architecture and engineering for a facility to support the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG). The CIRG is currently staffed by 147 Special Agents and 60 support personnel who provide operational support, guidance, and training in cases involving crisis management, hostage negotiation, abduction or mysterious disappearance of children, serial killings, Criminal Investigative Analysis, Special Weapons Tactics, the protection of the Attorney General, and the assessment, selection and training of FBI undercover employees. The CIRG building would be located at the Quantico Marine Corps Base. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE (INS): $15 MILLION (APPROVED)

Enhance INS intelligence gathering activities and improve coordination with the State Department, FBI and other law enforcement agencies. The funds will allow INS to better monitor the number and expanded scope of international alien smuggling rings and improve its ability to interdict possible terrorist entry into the country. These funds will also be available to support the detention and removal of aliens with ties to terrorist organizations. (Immigration and Naturalization Service)

OTHER JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES: $14.2 MILLION (PARTIALLY FUNDED)

Provide funds for additional building security, local law enforcement training, and enhanced intelligence collection and analysis. Includes funds for: the Office of Intelligence Policy and Review (OIPR) -- for increased electronic surveillance activity as well as funding to respond to increased wiretap requests and handling extradition and mutual assistance cases involving terrorism. (Justice Department)

COUNTER-TERRORISM FUND: $35 MILLION (CONTINGENCY FUND) (APPROVED, $20 OF $35 MILLION REQUESTED)

Provide contingency resources that could become available in the future. It would give the President and the Attorney General flexibility to respond to any terrorist threats or actual acts of terrorism. The existing Counter-terrorism Fund will be converted to a contingency fund for counter-terrorism. (Justice Department)

ATF: INSPECTING EXPLOSIVES LICENSEES AND PERMITTEES: $1.8 MILLION (APPROVED)

Work to provide 100 percent annual inspection of explosives manufacturing and storage facilities. With the hiring of 17 additional inspectors in fiscal 1997, ATF will increase the percentage of explosives licensees and permittees who can be inspected. In fiscal 1995, ATF was only able to inspect between 40 to 50 percent of the current explosive licensee and permittees. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER (FLETC): $4.1 MILLION (APPROVED)

Provide basic training for new counter-terrorism personnel, and provide needed physical security enhancements for the FLETC facility. (Treasury Department)

SALARIES AND EXPENSES: $6 MILLION (APPROVED)

Provide funds for NTSB to reimburse the Navy and other federal agencies for costs incurred to recovery wreckage from TWA flight 800. (National Transportation Safety Board)

EMERGENCY FUND: $1 MILLION (APPROVED)

Replenish the agency's Emergency Fund, depleted by the recovery and investigation of TWA flight 800. (National Transportation Safety Board)

ENHANCE NEST NUCLEAR COUNTER-TERRORISM PROGRAM: $15 MILLION (DENIED, BUT RELATED ITEMS FUNDED IN THE FY 1991 ENERGY/WATER APPROPRIATIONS BILL)

Enhance Nuclear Energy Search Team (NEST) capabilities by conducting a realistic deployment exercise. The Department will also expand training of non-Federal personnel who are likely to be first on the scene of a nuclear terrorist incident and improve technology to analyze and render-safe a potential terrorist nuclear device. (Energy Department)

RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION (RSPA): TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT: $2.5 MILLION (APPROVED)

Perform a Transportation System Vulnerability Assessment that will provide necessary information for use in protecting all modes of transportation from both physical and information-based threats. (Transportation Department)

RSPA: ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY: $0.5 MILLION (APPROVED)

Contract with National Academy of Sciences to form an Advisory Committee on Surface Transportation Security. (Transportation Department)

ATF: EXPAND CANINE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM: $7.5 MILLION (APPROVED)

Offer a training program for explosives detecting canines used by other Federal, State, local, and other law enforcement agencies. These funds will allow ATF to: train 29 new canines in fiscal 1997 (with a goal of 100 canines in each year thereafter) allowing for expanded use of canines in explosive detection, participate in the drafting of canine certification criteria, build additional kennel and training facilities, annually recertify canines, participate in a working group on canine certification criteria, and to hire 23 additional personnel, including 8 trainers. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

ATF: CAR BOMB STUDIES: $3 MILLION (APPROVED)

Continue to work with the Defense Department and the State Department in conducting large vehicle bomb tests. Test detonations of various explosive materials will be performed and data collected to aid in the analysis and investigation of large scale car bombings. These funds would allow the hiring of one additional chemist and four explosives technology specialists. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

ATF: EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY FUNDING: $15 MILLION (APPROVED, FOR TREASURY DEPARTMENT)

Provide the Treasury Secretary with a fund of $15 million to be used to reimburse any Treasury organization for extraordinary expenses incurred in providing support to counter, investigate, or prosecute terrorism. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

ATF: EXPLOSIVES INTELLIGENCE AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS: $14.2 MILLION (APPROVED)

Hire 31 additional special agents and research specialists to gather intelligence to be used to prevent bombings. These same individuals also would be involved in the response to, and investigation of bombings. A large portion of the funds would be dedicated to providing essential computer support systems to support these intelligence functions. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

DEPARTMENTAL OFFICES: OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL: SEIZE FOREIGN ASSETS OF TERRORISTS AND TERRORIST-SPONSORING ORGANIZATION: $0.3 MILLION (APPROVED)

Enable the Office of Foreign Assets Control to hire additional staff to support the recent expansion of sanction programs targeting international terrorists and their sponsoring organizations and states. (Treasury Department)

Consequence Management (Protecting Americans from the Effects of Terrorism) and Other Vital Efforts: $116.6 Million

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: $5.8 MILLION (APPROVED)

Strengthen HHS' ability to prepare for and respond to health and medical consequences of terrorist attacks including the development of metropolitan emergency response teams of non-Federal health professionals trained to respond to medical consequences of terrorist attack; research to improve detection, protection, and treatment of nuclear/biological/chemical attacks; development of expertise in identifying appropriate treatment for specific chemical agents and infectious organisms; and purchase or pharmaceuticals, such as antidotes, to assist with treating victims of chemical attacks. (Department of Health and Human Services)

TRAINING, AWARENESS, AND INFORMATION PROGRAMS: $93.1 MILLION (APPROVED)

Conduct terrorism awareness programs to make soldiers and sailors aware of the threat, the potential targets, and the standard tactics terrorists use. Various training efforts will enable soldiers, sailors, and airmen to use the physical protection equipment effectively. The Department will also take steps to protect its information infrastructure from attack, and increase its ability to disseminate information about terrorist organizations and their targets to field commanders. (Defense Department)

CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND COORDINATION: $9.3 MILLION (PARTIALLY FUNDED)

Integrate consequence management response activities into the interagency Federal Response Plan to ensure an efficient and coordinated Federal response and integration at the Federal, State, and local levels, and enhance emergency management teams' capabilities in these specialized areas. FEMA has been designated the lead Federal agency for consequence management response activities in relation to terrorist incidents. (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

FEDERAL/STATE/LOCAL ASSESSMENT, TRAINING, AND EXERCISES: $8.4 MILLION (PARTIALLY FUNDED)

Enable FEMA to revise or develop Federal level and field training; develop a terrorism annex to its existing all-hazards planning document; conduct full-scale Federal exercises to ensure appropriate deployment and coordination of Federal Response Plan agencies; develop and deliver simulation training; and assess and improve State and local consequence activities. (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

NATIONAL FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE (APPROVED)

Expand the capability of national foreign intelligence to combat terrorism. The initiative includes, but is not limited to, the following:

CREATION OF A NATIONAL-LEVEL FOREIGN TERRORISM WARNING GROUP WITHIN THE COUNTER TERRORISM CENTER.

This expert group will focus exclusively on the review of intelligence from all sources to provide warning of possible foreign terrorist attacks against U.S. or our allies.

Significant increase in CIA operatives.

These additional Directorate of Operations case officers will work overseas to collect information on foreign terrorism. We are also increasing the number officers assigned to the Counter Terrorism Center to work against foreign terrorists.

Expansion of intelligence for "force protection."

Carefully-assembled intelligence teams will help protect our military facilities and overseas government facilities. This initiative will expand our current use of National Intelligence Support Teams, which now assist our military in the Balkans and in Saudi Arabia.

Increased capability of U.S. intelligence to act forcefully against terrorists worldwide.

(end text) NNNN 7DA513CC58CF--








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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:40 PM
Response to Reply #40
48. Congress churns out bills before recess/Anti-terrorism measure stalls
http://www.cnn.com/US/9608/02/congress.votes/

Congress churns out bills before recess

Anti-terrorism measure stalls

Anti-terrorism

The main measure that ran aground Friday was anti-terrorism legislation sought by Clinton, especially in the wake of the TWA Flight 800 explosion and the Olympic park bombing.

The House passed the bill 389-22, but the Senate said it needs more time. The bill requires new airport security measures, but excludes Clinton's proposals to expand the government's wiretapping authority.

Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Kentucky, said the anti-terrorism legislation provides the necessary resources to combat terrorism. (303K AIFF or WAV sound) But Rep. Melvin Watt, D-North Carolina, called it a "charade." (148K AIFF or WAV sound)

House Republicans added a last-minute concession: a provision for a study of whether chemical markers should be placed in black and smokeless powders, which are commonly used in making bombs. Clinton had pushed for a study of the markers, called taggants, but ran into stiff opposition this week from some Republicans.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 05:42 PM
Response to Reply #48
49. Clinton ordered Bin Laden killing
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1558918.stm

Sunday, 23 September, 2001, 05:01 GMT 06:01 UK

Clinton ordered Bin Laden killing
Former US President Bill Clinton has admitted his administration tried to assassinate Osama Bin Laden in 1998 - but failed because it could not find him.
The move followed the bombing of two US embassies in East Africa which Bin Laden - the chief suspect in the US terrorist attacks - was suspected of masterminding.

"I authorised the arrest, and, if necessary, the killing of Osama Bin Laden, and we actually made contact with a group in Afghanistan to do it - and they were unsuccessful," Mr Clinton told a news conference in New York.



Bin Laden: Could not be found


He added that special forces had been trained for a ground assault.


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DesertRat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 07:18 PM
Response to Original message
50. Here are some good links
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SaveAmerica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 09:54 AM
Response to Reply #50
53. Thanks!! n/t
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DesertRat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-09-06 11:21 PM
Response to Original message
51. kick
:kick:
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tenshi816 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 11:14 AM
Response to Original message
54. There's some good stuff at Truthout
at this link: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/083006J.shtml

Here's a part of it:

Leaving aside the wretched truth that the far right is once again using September 11 to score political points, the facts regarding the still-lingering effort to blame the Clinton administration for the attacks must be brought to the fore. Nowrasteh, at several points in his miniseries, rolls out a number of oft-debunked allegations that Clinton allowed Osama bin Laden to remain alive and free before the attacks.

Roger Cressy, National Security Council senior director for counterterrorism in the period 1999-2001, responded to these allegations in an article for the Washington Times in 2003. "Mr. Clinton approved every request made of him by the CIA and the U.S. military involving using force against bin Laden and al-Qaeda," wrote Cressy. "As President Bush well knows, bin Laden was and remains very good at staying hidden. The current administration faces many of the same challenges. Confusing the American people with misinformation and distortions will not generate the support we need to come together as a nation and defeat our terrorist enemies."

Measures taken by the Clinton administration to thwart international terrorism and bin Laden's network were historic, unprecedented and, sadly, not followed up on. Consider the steps offered by Clinton's 1996 omnibus anti-terror legislation, the pricetag for which stood at $1.097 billion. The following is a partial list of the initiatives offered by the Clinton anti-terrorism bill:

Screen Checked Baggage: $91.1 million

Screen Carry-On Baggage: $37.8 million

Passenger Profiling: $10 million

Screener Training: $5.3 million

Screen Passengers (portals) and Document Scanners: $1 million

Deploying Existing Technology to Inspect International Air Cargo: $31.4
million

Provide Additional Air/Counterterrorism Security: $26.6 million

Explosives Detection Training: $1.8 million

Augment FAA Security Research: $20 million

Customs Service: Explosives and Radiation Detection Equipment at Ports: $2.2 million

Anti-Terrorism Assistance to Foreign Governments: $2 million

Capacity to Collect and Assemble Explosives Data: $2.1 million

Improve Domestic Intelligence: $38.9 million

Critical Incident Response Teams for Post-Blast Deployment: $7.2 million

Additional Security for Federal Facilities: $6.7 million

Firefighter/Emergency Services Financial Assistance: $2.7 million

Public Building and Museum Security: $7.3 million

Improve Technology to Prevent Nuclear Smuggling: $8 million

Critical Incident Response Facility: $2 million

Counter-Terrorism Fund: $35 million

Explosives Intelligence and Support Systems: $14.2 million

Office of Emergency Preparedness: $5.8 million

The Clinton administration poured more than a billion dollars into counterterrorism activities across the entire spectrum of the intelligence community, into the protection of critical infrastructure, into massive federal stockpiling of antidotes and vaccines to prepare for a possible bioterror attack, into a reorganization of the intelligence community itself. Within the National Security Council, "threat meetings" were held three times a week to assess looming conspiracies. His National Security Advisor, Sandy Berger, prepared a voluminous dossier on al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, actively tracking them across the planet. Clinton raised the issue of terrorism in virtually every important speech he gave in the last three years of his tenure.



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Karenina Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-10-06 12:12 PM
Response to Original message
55. Only 9 recs???
:kick:
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